Rose A Berry

Dr. ROSE AUERSPERG BERRY of Little Rock, 93, passed away Friday, Aug. 20, 2010. She was born in Hazen, Ark., on Dec. 23, 1916 to William and Rosa Frieda Auersperg. She graduated Valedictorian from Hazen High School and received a BSE from the University of Central Arkansas in 1937, a MS in 1955 and an EdD in 1966 from the University of Arkansas. Dr. Berry was a first grade teacher at Forest Park Elementary and continued a long distinguished career at the UALR College of Education. She served as chairwoman of the Elementary and Early Childhood Education Department 25 years and for one year as interim dean of the College of Education. She retired in 1986 as Professor Emeritus after influencing the lives of countless teachers, students and children in Arkansas. Dr. Berry earned numerous awards and honors and has served as a consultant to reading education conferences at the local, state and national level. She was recipient of the first Patty Smith Hill Award in 1998 from the Association for Childhood Education International, the Donaghey Foundation's first Outstanding Teacher Award in 1974, the Arkansas Democrat's Woman of the Year in 1975 and the J.L. Milton Children's Book Award in 1972. UALR established the annual Rose A. Berry Children's Literature Festival, featuring national authors and illustrators. In retirement, she continued to volunteer in schools and community groups, providing her famed chalk talks, storytelling and puppetry for children. She created "Dial-A-Story" for children and received the Ward, Cundiff and Aaron Retired Teacher Hall of Fame Award for her excellence in volunteer service to education. Dr. Berry also was member and frequently held prominent leadership positions in over 20 educational and professional societies. Dr. Berry was a participating member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church since 1953 and taught Sunday school classes for children and was a teacher of the Rudd, Streepy Fox and Butler Adult Sunday School classes. She was also contributor to the many outreach programs of the church and honorary member of the Board of Stewards. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert N. Berry a faithful companion and encourager and a retired biology teacher and chairman of the Hall Senior High School Science department. Immediate family survivors include one son, Dr. Charles W. Berry and wife Sandra Gayle Berry of Dallas, Texas; granddaughters, Amanda Gayle Berry and Jessica Lynn Bates and husband Joshua Aaron Bates of Dallas, Texas; great-granddaughters Emma Jane and Ella Grey Bates; a very special sister, Etta A. Doss and husband Warren N. Doss of Hazen, Ark.; and nieces Rosetta Vanhouten and husband Rudy Vanhouten of Hazen, Ark., Frieda Eddins and husband Alfred Eddins of Little Rock and Sandra Hoesch and husband Archie Hoesch of Mabelvale, Ark. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010, at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. Burial will immediately follow the service at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 23, 2010 at Griffin Leggett Healey and Roth Funeral Home in Little Rock. Memorial gifts may be made to the Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church or the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Rose A. Berry Scholarship Fund. www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.