Funeral services for Vennie "Bell" Woodrow Berry , 86, of Marshall will be held at 12 p.m. Noon, April 1, 2017 at Southside Church of Christ with Bro. Tim Knight and Bro. Freddie Brigham officiating. Interment will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. A time of visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m., Friday, March 31, 2017 at the funeral home. Bell passed away peacefully March 23, 2017 in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Vennie "Bell" Berry Woodrow was born August 22, 1930 in Harrison County to Perry Woodrow, Sr. and Minnie Ollison Woodrow. She was a life time resident of Marshall and attended the Harrison County Public Schools.

She confessed Christ at an early age, and united with the Southside Church of Christ where she remained a faithful and active member until her health failed her .  Anyone who met "Bell" knew she loved the Lord and accepted him as her personal Lord and Savior.  She had such a spirit of wisdom and was always able to give the right advice for any situation. Her life exemplified one of the greatest commandments-love.  The love of God was first and foremost in her life, followed by the love of her family and friends.  Bell was an incredibly amazing woman who never met a stranger.  Her happiest moments were attending the Sunday worship service, spending time with her family, including her church family and fellowshipping with her friends at the Adult Day Center.  When visiting with family in Fort Worth, she attended the West Vickery Church of Christ, where she was affectionately called "Mama."  Bell had an inert ability to make others feel welcome and relaxed when in her presence. She was a prayer warrior who studied her bible daily and was always eager to share God's word with family and friends.  She was also blessed with a talent to provide a "soft spot" for anyone needing a shoulder to lean on. Having been raised on a farm with five brothers and two sisters, Bell was a country girl at heart.  She enjoyed everything about country living, including gardening, fishing, canning and in later years traveling both nationally and internationally with her family. Bell will be remembered by her family as "The Matriarch." One of her favorite quotes was, "Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love."  She walked by faith and taught her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to love the Lord and to put him first and foremost in their lives.  Bell touched many lives and will also be remembered for her special gift to exude a motherly figure to anyone in need. She was an extraordinary woman well beyond her education with a strong sense of family, incredible instincts for nurturing, an inert spirit of wisdom, and the patience to be mother to more than just her offspring.   Bell was also an incredible cook who seasoned each meal with love, tenderness and care.  She was the mother within the family circle that everyone looked up to, who provided unconditional love, laughter, and Oh what a beautiful smile; she spoke the truth, and made everyone feel like they were one of her children.   Mrs. Vennie "Bell" Woodrow Berry, more affectionately known as, Mother, Mama, Madear, Granny, Grand mama, Sweet heart and Aunt Bell, leaves a legacy to love others with godly wisdom, boldness and kindness.  We loss a jewel that can never be replaced and she will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.

Bell worked for B & R Food Cafeteria Service for Thiokol Ammunition Plant where she served as the Office and Cafeteria Manager. Bell retired in 1991 from Tyson Food in Carthage, Texas where she worked in the meat department.

She leaves to cherish her memories , three sons, James Elmo Woodrow, Eddie Wayne Berry, and Odis Odell Berry, all of Marshall; two daughters, Julia Berry Bennett and husband Kenneth of Marshall and JoAnn Berry Bradden and husband Michael of Ft. Worth; One sister, Ruby Wilson of Marshall ; grandchildren, LaSha' Bennett, Kenneth Bennett, Jr., Michael  Bradden , II , Marcus Bradden, Nicholas Bradden and Kenda Washington; great-grandchildren, Mikayla Hicks, Aydrian Bradden, Lakendra Washington, James Patrick Washington and James Marcus Woodrow. She is also survived by a special nephew, Leroy Anderson, special nieces, Dorothy Anderson and Wanda Wilson and numerous loving relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Minnie and Perry Woodrow, Sr ; son JoNathan Berry; brothers, Perry Woodrow, Jr , Joseph Woodrow, Sr., Jessie Woodrow, Johnnie Woodrow, and Bennie Woodrow and one sister, Merlean Batiste.

Serving as pallbearers will be Leroy Anderson, James Wilson, Willie Wilson, Henry Wilson, Darrell Perkins, Jerome Scott, Hubert Staten and John Henry Vann.

The family would like to give a special acknowledgement to Premier Home Health of Longview and Texas Resource Harris Southwest Hospital 4100 Unit .  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The American Cancer Society.