Lydia Elizabeth "Liz" (Hassig) Berry, 49, of Harrison, passed away Saturday, June 25, at Hospice of the Hills after only six hours of having arrived where her mother, Lida along with Rita and Martha tried to make her comfortable. Funeral service will be Wednesday, June 29, 2pm, at Coffman Funeral Home in Harrison with Pastor Rodney Stromlund officiating. There will be no visitation. Private burial will follow at Sand Hill Cemetery, Yardell. Pallbearers will be Dustin Baker, Colter Curtis, Marrick O'Quinn of New Orleans, and Ronnie, Donnie, and Donald Berry. Honorary pallbearers will be husband, John Clarke Berry, Dr. Tom Langston, Cindy Langston, Dr. Cathy Clary, Girtie Rogers, Erin Finley, Janalu Ragland, Mary Sykes, Sheila Jones and Angie Ward of Hospice of the Hills; and all her friends at Cornerstone. Others, Nathan Baker, Nan Baker, Theresa Cowles, and mother, Lida Criner, and cousin Roy Morris Armstrong of Odessa, Texas.

Liz was born February 15, 1967, in Dallas, Texas to Ralph and Lida (Adkins) Hassig. They moved to Boulder, Colorado where Liz attended Mesa Elementary School until she and her mother returned to Harrison in 1977. She grew up in Harrison and attended Skyline School and Harrison High where she graduated in 1985, subsequently earning the AA Degree at North Arkansas Community College. She married Nathan Baker, and son Dustin Ryan and Suzannah Marie were born, 1989 and 1995. Dustin is a psychotherapist at St. Mary's Hospital in Russellville, and Suzannah, a phlebotomist at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (NARMC). Liz often talked of how proud she was of her children and their accomplishments.

Liz began her work career at age fourteen in Harrison with a variety of business and office abilities. Her last job was at Family Doctors Clinic with Dr. Langston, where she continued to work until a few weeks ago. She enjoyed work at the clinic so much that she never wanted to leave the job or her associates. Liz was an avid animal-support person, and worked with the animal shelter a few years ago, where she set up a kennel at her home to find homes for dogs which were on the "kill" list. She found homes for many of those dogs and of course, kept several. Her beloved dog, little "Lilly" has been at her side during her illness and knew the time was near. The day before her death, two other special pets, Honey, and Biscuit would not leave her bedside. Sparky, 17, also knew, but was too disabled to be near.

Liz loved feeling God's presence in nature and craved sunshine and fresh air. She and John planted special flowers to attract birds and butterflies. Donald Berry built a large sunroom with skylights so that she and John and the family could enjoy sunshine and watch the seasons come and go more fully. Liz liked to read, take vacations to the ocean, and to visit the St. Louis Zoo with her family. She also liked to do origami and wrote beautiful poetry. She enjoyed aunts and uncles in years past with family get-together's, the last of which was at her aunt Theresa Cowles' home at Hasty in 2006 for Christmas dinner, and gift exchange. She was close to her grandmother, the late Pauline Cowles Banes (03-2007), better known as, "Maca," by her grandchildren and other family.

Liz was preceded in death by her father Ralph Evan Hassig (cancer, 1998) and grandparents Dean and Margaret Hassig, all of Plainview, MN. In addition, uncle, Richard Hassig, born blind, who built a parlor grand piano for Liz, her uncle, Horace Edward Adkins, as well as father-in-law, John Baker, brother-in-law, Danny Baker, and step-father, James H. Criner (Paw-Paw), of Limestone, preceded her in death.

Liz is survived by her two children, Dustin and Suzannah, and her loving husband of 18 years, John Clarke Berry, of the home; brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Mona Berry, mother-in-law June Berry, and Mark and Donna (Berry) Withrow, (sister in law), her mother, Lida Adkins Criner of Limestone; Theresa Marie Cowles, aunt, of Hasty, and Theresa's children, Liz's cousins, Sarah and Tanner Gibson.

Lydia "Liz" Hassig Berry loved God, family, and pets above all else. She is loved and missed by all who knew her and cared for her. She said, "Thanks", to everyone, before she was called away. During the prayer session at her home, the day before, Evangelist Sister Alice Sanders, Pastor Frank Whiteside and wife Mary Jo, with Imojean Sneed, laid on hands and prayed for Liz's comfort and release from fear. Liz said, "I want to stay . . . I want to stay." Stage four, cancer with severe lung metastases made breathing very frightening and difficult for Liz, but the air is fresh and sweet where she is now. "Farewell" to you, Lydia Liz, a sweet and wonderful young woman. Heaven has now added a new angel.