Susan "Susie" Berry

Susie Gay Berry, 75, of Kaufman, Texas passed away on April 28, 2026, surrounded and wrapped in love by her dearest family.

The heart of her family - humble, kind, caring, encouraging, and giving - she always demonstrated love through her extraordinary ability in preparing and sharing meals and baked treats. She brought people together and served the community through her love and gift of food, as well as her servant spirit.

Susie was born to Frederick Eugene Maner and Clyda Clodell Maner in Graham, Texas, on January 15, 1951. One of eight children, family meals were a binding force of connection for this family on the move. Fred was a remarkable chef, using his culinary skills to provide for the family in Graham and Olney, Texas; Hobbs, New Mexico; and Newcastle, Midland, and San Angelo, Texas. Full of sizzling sounds, sweet and savory smells, sinks of soapy dishes, and robust levels of conversation and laughter echoing throughout the family home, the kitchen was always a hub of activity. Food brought Susie's family together from her early life to her final days.

Like the start of a timeless fairy tale, and now a young lady waitressing where Fred and Clodell cooked for and managed The Rio Concho Manor, Susie's radiant smile caught the eye of a serviceman who had only one question for Mrs. Maner: "Who is that?" And so, the storybook of a 55-year marriage began, as Clodell Maner replied, "That's my daughter Susie." Susie enjoyed keeping company with Dennis (DW), because he made her laugh. From their initial encounter a friendship bloomed, their bond forged in shared laughter and a mutual affection for bringing out happiness and joy in one another. They were married in a small chapel in San Angelo, Texas, with an intimate gathering of family and friends. She measured love in spoonfuls and in helping actions; in partnership they served one another, family, friends, and neighbors.

Their love story grew as a small family of three with little Shawn, taking them to Indiana and eventually back to Texas where Stephanie was born. As a young mother, Susie kept a simple and plentiful household with DW, always making sure others had what they needed first. She was conservative and resourceful - a single flower from DW, a handwritten card, a home-cooked meal, and a freshly mowed lawn meant the most over the years. One of the strongest, most intuitive and intelligent women, Susie persevered with unwavering resolve to be the best she could be in all that she did and give her very best to everyone she knew. She was proud of her homestead, and especially of family and friends.

She was a gifted seamstress, able to sew beautiful clothes and handcraft one-of-a-kind quilts, which she often gifted to family. Susie loved gardening and flowers, always growing vegetables and planting and pruning pots and beds of flowers. She enjoyed sitting on her back patio listening to the birds, watching for her hummingbirds or little green lizards, or swinging on the front porch enjoying the peaceful trickle of her fountain, the rhythm of her swing, and her flowers - keeping a steadfast eye on the neighborhood. She found a childlike joy in Christmas, always decorating her home and porch in family traditions while the timeless sounds of the season echoed throughout the house. Her Christmas village was magical, a wonder to grandchildren and adults alike, with glistening lights and a perfectly placed blanket of snow adorning a dimly lit view to a peaceful place in time. From summer to fall, winter to spring, Susie celebrated the holidays and birthdays with decor, freshly baked cookies, cakes and pies, seasonal treats for grandchildren, and meals that brought family together.

Susie lived a life of service, supporting her family and friends through her love of food, gardening, caring for her home, cheering from the sidelines and at the courts, applauding in dimly lit theatres, crafting and visiting with "the girls." Raised in humble beginnings, she valued a good deal - always finding weekly circular sales, going to garage sales and thrift stores, and reusing anything she could to avoid waste, down to the final spread of peanut butter at the bottom of a jar. You may not know that her favorite biscuit cutter is a small, reused 2.5” x 2.5” tin can, with the words “SHAKE WELL” on the bottom, and punctured with small holes for air flow. She spent her life serving and giving to others, including nearly a decade of service as the Kaufman Senior Citizens Center Director - preparing and serving meals, but more importantly, showing unwavering kindness and love for community seniors. She continued to feed the community, stay connected, and care for others until her passing - whether it was a hand-cooked meal, sharing baked goods over the fence, preparing a pie for someone in need, texting pictures of what she had prepared, describing a new (altered) recipe from a cooking show or Facebook, stocking her freezer with meals for another day, or daily, life update phone calls. She fed and nursed everyone, showing up with containers of love, a healing heart, or card of encouragement.

Survivors

Susie is survived by Dennis Berry (DW), devoted spouse of 55 years, and Kekoa, her watchful chair companion. Son Shawn Berry (Shawnee) and daughter-in-law Julie Berry of Kaufman, their children and spouses Dustin &Tara Berry, Kaleigh & Kevin Berry, Katherine Berry, McKenna & Brice Donaldson, Anthony & Keeley Berry, and eight great-grandchildren Harper, Cameron, Miranda, Cheyenne, Viviana, Sofia, Emersyn, and Spencer. Daughter Stephanie Frosch (Daff) of Terrell, her children Elaine Frosch (Honey) & loving fiancée CJ, and Eli Frosch (Bud), and "B," a cherished family member. Siblings and their spouses Jerry & Judy Pinkerton of Dallas, Ronnie & Marybeth of San Angelo, Randy & Joan Maner of Kingsland, Glo Maner of Nacogdoches, Jerrie (Tutsy) Huffman of Paris, Judy Graves of Abilene, Sandy & Armon (Dude) of Carrollton, and "Favorites" Shanna Saverance & family and Kelli Thompson & family.

Preceded in Death

Susie is preceded in death by her loving parents Fred & Clodell Maner, brother Fred Maner, and brothers-in-law Bennie Graves, John (Dub) Huffman, and nephew Bennie Ray Graves.

In Her Honor

If you wish to honor Susie's legacy of community service, direct donations may be made in her honor to the Kaufman Senior Center, located in the Kaufman Civic Center at 607 E. Fair Street, Kaufman, Texas, or through their supporting website at https://www.nohungrysenior.org/.

Celebrating Susie's Life

In celebration of Susie's life, listen to her favorite artists: Nat "King" Cole, Jim Brickman, Michael Bublé, Andrea Bocelli, and Josh Groban. Cheer for the Dallas Mavericks with a bowl of popcorn and text the final score to Daff or Bud. Stop by 507 N. Jackson Street, enjoy the swing, listen to the fountain, and watch the birds. Make an apple or cherry pie, a batch of cookies, or a meal and share them with someone. Write a greeting card for any occasion - slip in a $10 bill just because - mail it to brighten someone’s day. Grow and nurture something outdoors - tomato plants, potted spring flowers, or fall mums in red or orange. Substitute teach in early childhood or volunteer at your local senior citizen center. Follow school social media accounts and comment on the accomplishments and celebrations of students and teachers. Most of all, always remember that Susie's love lives on through our service to others and the enjoyment of life's simple pleasures, prepared from scratch, given in love.

Honorary Pallbearer

Eli Frosch – “Bud”