Berlene King Shook completed her 80 year adventure at home with her family April 28, 2024.  She "got out of" her last procedure, exactly as she told her nurse she would.

Beginning life with an uphill climb, she not only overcame early adversity but kept climbing over every obstacle with the grit and determination that were trademark "Berlene" only overshadowed by her other trademark…. a beautiful head of red hair.

Known as a giver, scores of families in our community were fed, clothed and cared for over the years.  As a lover of all things Christmas, scores more children woke up on Christmas morning in shock over the number of gifts around their tree.  At her request, her husband has ensured that every neighborhood they have lived in has enjoyed a spectacular light display, with their current address being dubbed "Christmas Light Lane" by the local police.

She was a giver, and if she didn't have the money….. she would raise the money by imagining, planning and executing a successful fundraising event in warp speed.  She never met her limit, and for those who suggested she had one …. she would blow past that mark …. and take pictures.

There are quite a few families, friends and mere acquaintances native to her life long home in Wythe County who have been positively impacted by this tiny red haired hurricane.

More so, this woman loved her family ferociously.  It was her self appointed mission to ensure each of us knew we were worthy, loved and we belonged.  It wasn't something she personally understood based on her childhood and we all know she communicated these ideas imperfectly. But she did her best and that was enough.  Now we all rest in the fact she is experiencing the perfect love of Jesus, and she KNOWS what we have always wanted her to ….. however imperfectly we communicated it…. she is worthy, loved and she belongs.

She and her husband, Bob, recently celebrated 50 years together with a little party and a cruise through town while honking the horn in their car, decorated by her grandchildren.

Waiting to be reunited are her children, Ronald Reid Lawson Jr & Sandra Darlene Lawson, Perry Duane Lawson, Brandy Crystal Page and Zachary Lee Page and Robert Calvin Shook III & Amy Shook.

Her grandchildren, who were the subject of most of her conversations and the joy of her life are, Charity, Michael, Perry, Hannah, Christian, Teagan, Adiya, Zahara, Verity, Tzadok, Serene, Ivory, Zoey & Jonathan and great grandchildren.   Sisters, cousins and extended family all look forward to seeing Berlene again.

Reunited with her Beloved Grandparents Andy and Mamie King, Claude and Naomi Blair, infant daughter Toni Naomi, grandchildren Chris and Olivia and several sisters and extended family members.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Reese Funeral Home with the Reverend Mike Ingo and Reverend Alan Wilder officiating. Burial will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Reese Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to continue her legacy of helping vulnerable children and families in Wythe County by giving at swvacrossroadscoalition.com or mail checks to SWVA Crossroads Coalition at 518 Blackberry Drive, Wytheville, VA 24382

Reese Funeral Home, Austinville, VA is serving the Shook family.