Becky Dodd Berry Balkcom

Becky Dodd Berry Balkcom passed away peacefully in her home in Marietta, GA on August 2, 2013, surrounded by loved ones. Becky was born on October 12, 1923 in Covington, Georgia. She was the daughter of F. B. and Margaret Hudgins Dodd. She spent much of her childhood in Augusta, Georgia and moved to Marietta in 1939. She graduated from Marietta High School in 1940, then met and married her first husband, the late James Earnest Berry. She was an active member of the Junior Woman’s Club and a Past Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star. She was always a volunteer at her children’s schools, starting with Keith Elementary School. She later served as vice president of Tri-Bentley Constructors, Inc., working side by side with her good friend, Cecil Bentley for 25 years. She was known far and wide for her perfect cheese straws and her delicious biscuits -affectionately called "Beek's biscuits" by her family. Her family was the center and joy of her life. She was the beloved wife of the late James R. Balkcom, Sr., to whom she was married for 26 fun and loving years. She is survived by her children, Jimmy Dodd Berry and his wife Kate, Hannah Berry Martin and her husband Jim, James R. Balkcom, Jr. and his wife Linda, John K. Balkcom and his wife Carol, and Kathryn Balkcom Kenyon. She is also survived by her niece, Janie Spratling Maddox and her husband John and numerous other nieces and nephews. She was the adoring and very proud grandmother of Barbara Berry Malone and her husband Adam, James David Berry and his wife Katie, James Thomas Martin, II and his wife Jennifer, Courtney Martin Brubaker and her husband Brett, Lindsey Martin Carrigan and her husband Mike, Julie Balkcom Green and her husband Marc, Katie Balkcom Bush and her husband Steve, Jennifer Balkcom, Rachael Balkcom and David Kenyon. She was the loving great-grandmother of Madeleine, Emilie and Rosser Malone, J.D and Daniel Berry, Emery Martin, Carter and Mary Frances Green and Katherine, Julie Anne, and Laura Grace Bush. She was predeceased by her parents, F. B. and Margaret Dodd, her brother, F. B. Dodd, Jr., her sister, Margaret Dodd Piper and her husband, Ralph and her great-granddaughter, Rebecca Reese Martin. Becky will be remembered by all for her warmth, wit, un-wavering spirit for life, and devoted love of her family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. James Episcopal Church of Marietta or St. Jude's Children's Hospital. A memorial service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church in Marietta at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, with visitation to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home and Crematory in Marietta will be handling the arrangements. www.mayeswarddobbins.com

Becky Dodd Berry Balkcom

October 12, 1923 - August 2, 2013