Kendra L Berry

Kendra Lee Berry, born July 27, 1947, in Eatontown, New Jersey, to the late Alfred Donald Bird and Grace Amber Bird, peacefully passed away on December 4, 2024, with her daughter, Keysha, by her side. At an early age, Kendra accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. She was a devoted Christian who grew up attending Mt. Zion AME Church in Eatontown, NJ, where she served on the women's committee and sang in the choir. While attending, she was taught to give her tithe and offering and to always love her neighbor as herself. Later in life, she joined Abundant Life Family Worship Church in New Brunswick, NJ.

Kendra attended the Eatontown public school system where she was a passionate field hockey player. After high school, she became a bus driver for Hilburner Bus Company, ensuring children from elementary age to high school age from Fair Haven, Red Bank, Tinton Falls, and Deal got to school safely. She worked alongside her sister Carol Ann, and they were a familiar sight on their respective bus routes as they were assigned to bus numbers 33 and 34. Incidentally, she and her sister Carol Ann chose to drive for the bus company to ensure their daughters (elementary through high school graduation) would always be on time for school. The sisters cared for all the children ensuring their safe and timely arrival to school and back.

After her daughter's graduation, Kendra began working at the Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center in Wall, NJ, where she worked as a youth worker and later as a youth supervisor. In 1999 when she was diagnosed with cancer, Kendra received overwhelming support from her colleagues. Following the closure of the center in 2005, she continued her career at DYFS with the State of New Jersey, retiring in 2013 after 25 years of service.

Kendra's passion for serving others continued after retirement when she worked part-time at Brandywine Senior Living in Colts Neck, NJ. Her infectious personality and humor brought joy to both residents and staff, and she was soon offered a full-time position. Kendra formed close relationships with the residents and staff. She loved encouraging them and they loved her comic relief and contagious laugh.

Good music and dancing were a large part of Kendra’s life. She loved all genres of music and her favorite dances were the Twist and the Slop. Kendra loved to travel with her daughter, sisters, cousin and friends. She also enjoyed reading books, solving crossword puzzles and watching the horse races at Monmouth Park Raceway.

Kendra loved to shop and often received gifts from her daughter, who enjoyed spoiling her. It was easy to spoil Kendra because of her giving heart. She always gave cheerfully, donating to several worthy causes near and dear to her heart. Her giving unselfishly was instilled in her very early in life; a legacy that has been passed down to her daughter. Her godson, Willis Calvin, was also “guilty” of spoiling her. She was so proud of him and they talked for hours every week. She loved hearing about his day and getting updates about his family. She always enjoyed hearing about what brand of sneakers he purchased.

Kendra was preceded in death by her husband James C. Berry, her parents Alfred and Grace Bird, four sisters (Jackie Jackson, Grace Collins, Lucy Johnson and April Bird), one niece, Renee Burton, and two nephews, Frank E. Collins and Gary Jackson. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Keysha Berry, Tinton Falls, NJ, her beloved godson Willis Calvin Frizzle (Tracey), Brick, NJ, one brother Robert Bird, (Almire), Tinton Falls, NJ, two sisters, Carol Chaney (Robert, Sr.), Scottsdale, AZ, Barbara Busby, Savannah, GA, one brother-in-law, William “Sonny” Berry, Philadelphia, PA, James M. Berry (Keysha’s Brother), Old Bridge, NJ and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.