Mary Ellen O'Berry

Hortense – Mary Ellen O’Berry, 73, of Hortense passed away early Saturday morning (January 25, 2025) at Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick after a brief illness.

Born in Baxley, GA her parents were Lemuel Sellers Johnson and Myrtice Louise Mobley Johnson. She is also preceded in death by her first husband, Freddie Strickland; 2 brothers, Lemuel Johnson and Lewis Johnson; and a sister, Elva Lou Morris.

Mary was a homemaker and a member of Philadelphia Wesleyan Church. She was a graduate of Brewton-Parker College and had a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education from Georgia Southern University. With her first husband, she was a co-owner of Strickland Funeral Home in Baxley, GA and a licensed funeral director. She was proud to homeschool her son Andrew. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Mary enjoyed sewing, reading and cooking.

Survivors include her husband, James “Reggie” O’Berry of Hortense; 4 sons and daughters-in-law, Jamie O’Berry (Ellen) of Callahan, Justin O’Berry of Hortense, Andrew O’Berry (Tori) of Tifton and Fred Strickland of Atlanta; a daughter and son-in-law, Ellen Newton (Greg) of Marietta; 6 grandchildren, Ali O’Berry, Jesse O’Berry, Mackenzie O’Berry (Wendel White), Emily Lee (Alex), Margaux Newton and Maggie Newton; 2 great grandchildren, Kallie White and Wendel White; a sister, Jenell Jones of Jacksonville; and also several other relatives and a host of friends.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Wednesday (January 29, 2025) starting at 10am at Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday morning (January 29, 2025) at 11am at the chapel of Frye Funeral Home with Bro. Kirby Bryant officiating. Burial will follow in Hortense Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Will Steed, Jim Steed, William Skipper, Jamie Hodge, Ray Davis, and Jeremy Hurley.

Arrangements are with Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.fryefh.com.