MR. VIRGIL EUGENE BERRY

Gene:

They called you the “T Terminator”, they called you “Genie Boy”, they called you “Hackman”, but to me you were just Gene. My cousin, whom I love as my brother (you and your brothers will always be my brothers, you all were all I ever really had in that regard for so many years).

I remember you coming to all the cook-outs and the holiday dinners. I remember your smile and how it lit up my heart each time you flashed it. I remember our conversations about church and how much you loved the Lord. How much you loved serving the Lord at New Bethel. I remember watching you enjoy a good meal.

I remember our conversations about music. In particular, our discussion about the album cover of Donald Byrd’s Flight Time. I remember you telling me how it relaxed you; how you could just lay back and take that flight when you heard that song. When your roommate told me that you opened your eyes, looked at him, smiled and then went back to sleep, I couldn’t help but wonder over and over if you, at that time, smiled because you had your boarding pass in hand and were preparing to take that flight home, to be safe in the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

It has broken my heart that you chose to no longer deal with this madness here on earth. It is as if a limb has been removed from my body. I ache. Only because I will miss you so much. But I thank you for the many beautiful memories that are planted in my heart that nothing and no one can take away from me.

Enjoy your flight! You will touch down safely on God’s runway and enter into His presence. I love you now and always, your cousin – Frances.