1918 - 2008

Mr. DeBerry was younger than we are now when he was Assistant Principal at Maplewood in the 1960s.  He was a strong presence at our school, and did his best to ensure we behaved ourselves—not a very tranquil job.

Though he was in poor health in 2005, he kindly granted an interview to Ken Haas, which our classmate was allowed to record.  Ken thoughtfully arranged to have the tape played at our reunion banquet that year.  Hearing Mr. DeBerry's voice, after thirty–five years for most of us, clearly moved our audience of over 200 as we sat silently, hanging on his every word.

Near the end of his taped message, Mr. DeBerry good–naturedly repeated the phrase we remembered him often saying in the halls of Maplewood long ago: "Where are you people supposed to be?"  We laughed when we heard it again that September evening in 2005, and it brought back memories of our youth.  We missed him all the more.

Wendell's mother and Mr. DeBerry's wife were sisters, making Mr. DeBerry Wendell's uncle.  The obituary as posted in The Tennessean follows:

Adam DeBerry
DeBERRY, AdamAge 90 of Madison. November 02, 2008. Preceded in death by wife, Margie DeBerry and brother, Arthur DeBerry. Survived by daughter, Deanna DeBerry. Mr. DeBerry was a member of Northside Church of Christ and was a retiree of the Metro School System with 35 years service. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 4th at the Forest Lawn chapel with Bro. Leslie Chapman and Elder James Siegenthaler officiating. Interment at the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. Serving as Pallbearers, Frank Cathey, Warren Griggs, Charles Hooks, Howard Hunter, Doug Strange, David Strickland, Don Winters. Honorary Pallbearers will be Elders and Deacons of Northside Church of Christ. Visitation Monday 3–8 and Tuesday 11–2. FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, (615)859-5279.

—Posted November 16, 2008