BOYKINS — On Oct. 5, 2016, Deaconess Elizabeth DeBerry departed her earthly life to receive her Godly reward while spending a short time in WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina.

On July 27, 1927, Elizabeth was born to the late Hattie Mae Coats Whitehead and Jenny Whitehead in Southampton County.

Early in her life she joined Piney Grove Baptist Church, and after marriage joined her husband at Shiloh Baptist Church.

She was a devout member of the Deaconess board, Senior Choir, the Beautification Club and the Missionary Circle. Elizabeth was not only a great mother, but also she worked hard to help provide a better life for her family. She worked as a cook at Boykins Elementary School and she also worked at Boykins Narricot for over 20 years.

On Jan. 5, 1945, she was united in holy matrimony to Roscoe Lee DeBerry Sr. and together they shared 67 years before his passing. To this union six children were born.

Her memory will live forever in the hearts of her family: two daughters, Lois Nance (Harold) of Raleigh; and Virginia Woodard (Alonzo) of Yorktown, Virginia; four sons, Roscoe Lee DeBerry Jr. (Diane) of Boykins, Virginia; James DeBerry (Joyce) of Capron, Virginia; Wayne DeBerry (Cheryl) of Chesterfield, Virginia; and Jesse DeBerry (Hannah) of Raleigh; one sister: Beatrice Williams of Baltimore, Maryland; three brothers: Goldie Whitehead, Richard Whitehead (Allie Mae) both of Norfolk, Virginia; Jesse Whitehead (Sylvia) of Baltimore; two brothers and sisters in-laws, Kermit DeBerry (Jane), Ralph DeBerry (Dora), both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

She was also survived by grandchildren, Terrance DeBerry, Michael DeBerry(Tiffani), Harold Nance Jr., Alicia Leigh (Sherron), Jawanda Newsome (Melvin), James DeBerry, Jr., Janelle DeBerry, Jeramie DeBerry (Amy), Chris Granger, Derrick Woodard, Brantley DeBerry, Princess Joy Campbell, Jessica DeBerry, Ja’Hana DeBerry, Olivia DeBerry.

Great-grandchildren are On’ya DeBerry, O’wanya DeBerry, Jai’Quan Walden, Kaitlyn Nance, Sabastian Nance, Justin Holloman, JaKarie DeBerry, Jaden DeBerry, Jamie DeBerry, Jayla DeBerry, Jonathan DeBerry. Jada DeBerry, James DeBerry, Jayson Woodard, Jordyn Woodard and Princeton J. Hill; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her siblings Lilly Mae Whitehead, James Whitehead, Lonnie Whitehead, Linda Williams, Jeannie Mae Whitehead, Georgia Barnes and Ada Porter.

The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9, in Shiloh Baptist Church, 30188 Shiloh Road, Boykins.

Engram Funeral Home, Franklin, is in charge of the arrangements.