January 15th 2024.
On January 12, the Missouri faith community lost a beloved member, Father Moses Berry. He had been hospitalized for several months and was ultimately taken care of in hospice before his passing. As mentioned in KSMU's report, Father Berry was a well-known figure in the community and was instrumental in establishing the Ozarks Afro-American Heritage Museum. During an interview on Ozarks Public Television, Father Berry shared what inspired him to create the museum, recalling the African-American proverb, "start before you're ready."
For years, Father Berry dedicated himself to curating the museum, which showcased the history of his hometown and his ancestors' lives. Recently, his daughter, Dorothy Berry, digitized the collection, which includes various artifacts dating back to the 1830s. These items, such as quilts, furniture, portraits, horse equipment, and toys, provided a glimpse into the daily lives, family traditions, and rural lifestyle of Black Americans. The collection also sheds light on the harsh realities of slavery, with items like ankle chains, screw locks, and neck irons on display.
In the 2003 interview, Father Berry discussed the conditions of enslavement, showcasing some of the collection's pieces. He explained the functionality of a neck iron, demonstrating how it locked around a person's neck with a screw lock. Despite focusing on his community's history, Father Berry's work gained national attention. The New York Times even referred to him as a "one-man racial reconciliation committee" for his efforts in educating others about Black history and Orthodox Christian spirituality. In 2022, he was honored with the Jeweled Cross, the highest honor for a priest in the Eastern Orthodox Church, and in 2023, he was posthumously inducted into the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame by Missouri State University.
Father Berry's spiritual journey led him back to his birthplace, where he eventually settled on his family's farm, built by his great-grandfather in 1875. The land held significant sentimental value for Father Berry, as it was the place where he had many fond memories of his childhood. He described the town as a "mythical place," and returning to it felt like coming home. Despite the saying, "you can never come home," Father Berry proved otherwise.
The property also included a cemetery, which was renamed Resurrection Cemetery by Father Berry. Originally, the cemetery was dedicated to "Slaves, Indians, and Paupers," groups who were often denied burial spaces in Missouri's segregated cemetery system. Today, Resurrection Cemetery is listed on the national and Greene County registers of historic places.
Father Ephraim Tauck, a close friend of Father Berry, shared that his funeral would be held at the Theotokos Unexpected Joy Orthodox Church, the church that Father Berry founded in Ash Grove. The specific time has yet to be announced, but it is expected to take place on the evening of January 15.
Father Moses Berry's passing is a significant loss for the Missouri faith community, but his legacy and contributions will continue to be remembered and celebrated by many. His dedication to preserving and sharing Black history and his community-building efforts have left a lasting impact, and his memory will live on through his family, friends, and the many lives he touched.
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