Dr. Charles R. Berryman

April 11, 1943 – February 17, 2022

Florence, Mississippi

It is with great sadness and with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to our husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Charles Rayburn Berryman, M.D., age 78, went to rest in the arms of Jesus on February 17, 2022, at St. Dominic's Hospital, Jackson, MS. He was a resident of many years of Florence, Mississippi; however, much of his life was spent in North Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, and Colorado. Dr. Berryman (often referred to as "Dr. B" by staff) was a gifted and compassionate physician, teacher, father, and friend who, by example, encouraged others to be their best.

As a child, family described Charles as inquisitive and smart and that he always had a book in his hand. He graduated valedictorian of his graduating class at Hatton High School, Hatton, AL., in 1960. He later graduated from the University of Montevallo then received his Doctorate in Medicine from the University of South Alabama. After graduation, he served as Medical Director over Emergency Medicine and a Fellow Resident Instructor at the University of South Alabama Medical Center. He was board-certified in Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine, belonged to numerous medical organizations and authored/co-authored several articles related to medicine. After many years, he left the University of South Alabama Medical Center and went to Barnes/Washington University Hospital in St. Louis, MO. with the hopes and promises of setting up a Medical Residency Program. In 2003, he moved to Mississippi and, while moonlighting, found that he loved the staff of Wayne General Hospital's (Wayne County) commitment to care and the feeling of fellowship/friendship. He served as the Director of Emergency Services and Medical Director for the Wayne County EMS until retirement in 2014.

Charles loved hunting, fishing and the mountains. He loved the springtime greens of the Colorado river basins and streams, the Colorado aspens of fall, and spending time reading while overlooking the snow-capped peaks of the mountains. Charles loved medicine and he loved teaching, but more than anything, he loved his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Aaron Leanch Berryman and Virgie Waldrep Berryman; two brothers, Rubert Berryman (Maybelene) and Gilbert Berryman; a granddaughter, Rachael Dykes Beard; two brothers-in-law, Alvin Breeden and T. L. Jeffreys.

He is survived by his wife, Vickey Berryman; two daughters, Lisa Dykes (Hugh), and Jeannie Berryman; two step-sons, Shea Maddox (Jessie) and Shawn Maddox; five grandchildren, Anna Dykes, Paxton Maddox, Pace Maddox, Wyatt Maddox and Adalind Maddox; two great grand-children, Lane Beard and Carter Williams; five siblings, Chelsie Breeden, Dean Jeffreys, David Berryman (Lynn), Shelby Vandiver (Douglas), and Donna Davis (Frederic); sister-in-law, Carolyn Berryman; and a host of nieces and nephews.