Vernon "V Rod" Rodney Berry /
Vernon Rodney (V Rod) Berry II, of Martinsville, peacefully departed this life on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in Hilton Island, SC due to complications of heart disease. He was 59 years old. V Rod was born in Martinsville, March 14, 1965, to Doris Hale Berry and the late Vernon Rodney (Vern) Berry.
V Rod is survived by his mother, Doris Hale Berry, of Martinsville; sister, Sharon Kay (Shay) Berry Bradshaw; her husband, Timothy Bradshaw, of Millersville, MD; his adoring nieces and nephew, Alicia Bradshaw, Lindsay Bradshaw, and Samuel Bradshaw, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A graduate of Martinsville Public Schools and Elon University, V Rod never met a stranger and was well-known as a friendly, humorous, and incredibly entertaining man. He reveled in telling jokes, long stories, and laughing with friends and family whenever given the opportunity. An active golfer and member of Forest Park Country Club, Rod was never happier than when playing the links with his many friends, some of whom were friends since birth.
A well-respected real estate broker and former appraiser, V Rod was esteemed throughout the local real estate community and served on countless boards and in innumerable roles in the local Association of Realtors. He was very proud to serve clients of his family firm, Berry-Elliott Realtors, established in 1995. An active community member and civic minded citizen, V Rod was a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Martinsville, once serving as president, and a veteran of the District Conference. He was a longtime fixture of the Rotary Club’s annual Lobsterfest, serving as cook, and refined and developed his expertise developing Martinsville’s finest lobster dish. Like his mother, also a Rotarian, V Rod expressed the best tenets of “service above self”, the Rotary Club motto. V Rod was also a member of Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church and a devoted member of the Knights of Columbus. Additionally, and one of V Rod’s proudest service roles, he was an active blood donor to the American Red Cross.
V Rod’s last day was one that he didn’t know would be his last, but was one on his own terms and one of sheer beauty. While on vacation with his mother, aunt (Elva Hale Bourne), and best friend (Ross White), V Rod woke to a splendid beach sunrise that he shared with countless friends on Facebook. The day was filled with love and laughter, a round of golf (which he won!), a fabulous dinner he cooked with his friend, and a baseball game they all watched together. V Rod left this life peacefully, happy, and surrounded by love. He would want this to be remembered above all else as his coda.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials or donations be made to the local Rotary Foundation in V Rod’s honor. Donations are payable to the Rotary Foundation – Rotary Club of Martinsville-Henry County, and mailed to PO Box 3405, Martinsville, VA 24115, with proper notation that donations are in memory of V Rod Berry. Alternatively, the family appreciates any donation in V Rod's memory to a local charity of your choice.
Visitation will be Friday, October 18, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at Norris Funeral Home at 1500 Kings Mountain Road. The memorial service will be Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church at 2481 Spruce Street and with burial to follow.
To express condolences online, please visit www.norrisfuneral.com. Norris Funeral Services, Inc. & Crematory – Martinsville is serving the Berry family.
