My Parents died within a year of each other
Ruth L. Berry 1935-2010 / Robert I Berry 1930-2011
Proverbs 22:1 states that a "good name is more desirable than great riches." It's interesting how this verse has become a reality in my life. Just recently, my father, Robert I Berry passed away on July 9, 2011 in Fort Myers, Florida. He was survived by his German wife of 34 years and myself only. She has no children, a 90 year old brother and a nephew who is 66 living somewhere in Germany. My grandparents left a considerably large estate to my father who protected it. According to their will I am to inherit that estate upon his death. However, I have had no intention of disturbing my father's estate since I wanted to stablize his wife's home enviroment. I took great care in getting my father's VA benefits transfered to her, helped her with the Social Security benefits and got his insurance policy benefits to her.
In turn, she told me that my father didn't want me to get anything including my grandparents estate because I was not his kid. Unbelievable what people will do to when it comes to money. I told her "You can keep the money - but there is something you will never take from me... my family name." That's when it hit me "My family name and story is something no one can ever take from me." I know the truth. I have the birth certificate. I have the pictures of me and him for the first 18 years of my life - something she can't take from me. While I was helping her and burying my father all she could do was try to blaspheme my grandfather's name, tell me terrible stories about my father, and that my grandmother didn't want me to have their money.
She also told me she deserved everything. Well God bless her she can take the furniture - I'll take the family story and their faith. My father was a great man of God during the last years of his life. He came to Christ when I was in my late 20's. My grandparents served the Lord the entire time I knew them. In fact, if it was not for them I would not be a follower of Jesus or have chosen a path in ministry for the last 35 years. God bless them... and God bless my father's widow. My family's good name is still in tact and since I am the only Berry left carrying the name I get to have the last word.
