SUMMERTON – Tony Leslie Berry, 75, died Monday, July 7, 2014, at his home.
Born March 21, 1939, in Saluda, he was a son of the late Mark Boyd Berry and Martha Bradley Berry Dawkins and was raised by his mother and stepfather, the late Boyce Dawkins of Stoney Hill. He was a 1958 graduate of Prosperity High School, a U.S. Air Force veteran, the owner and operator of Tony's Beauty Salon in Mt. Pleasant and later Tony's Hair Corral in Summerton.
Tony was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Elloree and often attended St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Prosperity. He greeted everyone with a smile and was widely known for his personalized, hand made greeting cards.
For the last 30-plus years, Tony and "The Corral" have lifted the spirits of many in Summerton. His talent as a stylist and his generosity as a person are beyond description. Stepping into "The Corral" meant listening to some wonderful music and getting Tony's big smile. As an avid reader, Tony established a lending library for customers and friends with hundreds of books from which to choose. Tony will be missed by many.
Survivors include two sisters, Pat (M.J.) Polutta of James Island and Liz (Chuck) Roberts of Fayetteville, Ga.; two brothers, Boyd Berry of North Charleston and Oliver (Ericka) Berry of Shrewsbury, Mass.; a sister-in-law, Debbie B. Berry of Conway; a brother-in-law, Dr. R. Bruce (Alice) Ford of Anderson; seven nieces and 11 nephews; and a number of great nieces and nephews and many friends.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Archie Berry and Joe R. Berry; a sister, Daphne Ford; his dear friend, Billy Hilton; and his beloved dog, Flash.
Family and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of life memorial service for Tony Leslie Berry at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 19, 2014, in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Ebener and the Rev. Garland Hart officiating.
Memorials may be made to Boys Farm, P.O. Box 713, Newberry, SC 29108; or to Epworth Children's Home, P.O. Box 50466, Columbia, SC 29250.
Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179.
