Obituary of Clorena Berry Woodson

Clorena Berry Woodson, The Artist, Berry to those who knew her from home, a longtime Madison resident, passed away peacefully and was taken home by the Angels from her residence on Monday, March 10, 2025. She was 95. 

Clorena Berry is survived by her five sons, Herbert William Woodson Jr., David Wayne Woodson and his wife Sandra, John Douglas Woodson, Charles Warren Woodson, and Robert Ashley Woodson and his wife DeAdrienne; two grandchildren, Dana Lyle and Corey Wayne Woodson; four cherished great-grandchildren, Michael Stephan Irving, Richard Thomas Irving, Ananda Kahleigh Ratliff, & Kayden David Woodson; five great great-grandchildren, Rayne Nila Irving, Amari Khapri Irving, Khalil Amir Williams, Amira Kahleigh Rutland, & Jhane Sky Irving; extended family, and many dear friends.

She was predeceased by her husband, Herbert William Woodson Sr.  in 1983; her sister, Annie Valentine; and her daughter, Jennifer Lyle in 2023.

Clorena Berry was born in Hillsborough, NC on May 5, 1929 to the late Nocho and Clorena Whitted. She was raised in North Carolina with her sister Annie and settled in Madison, NJ after marrying Herbert William Woodson Sr. Her long and well documented history of migraines started when she moved north from N.C.  

Clorena Berry and Herbert’s first home was 287 Main Street with their first child. Then they lived at 44 Cook Avenue where their next three children were born, then 32 Cook Avenue where their last two were born. She was a wonderful mother and the matriarch of the family. There was no greater love for Clorena Berry than being with her loved ones. Oil Painting, calligraphy and her flower garden were her passions and peace. Hearing her sewing machine or smelling linseed oil before dinner was everyday life growing up. She also loved knitting and needlepoint.

Clorena Berry was well-known and loved in the community, and she was a faithful member of the Bethel AME Church of Madison. Her love for God led her to not only read the bible but study and live by the word. She always made sure her family knew that the bible would be the book to go seek and follow for guidance in life.

Clorena Berry devoted her life to caring for others. She was a nurse at Morristown Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation for many years before her early retirement in 1996 from Lyme Disease. Her career choice made her the perfect person with the right temperament to care for family and strangers alike. During her long tenure in the healthcare field Clorena Berry was blessed with the opportunity to establish lifelong friendships that could never be broken. 

Clorena Berry was a sweet and humble woman, who left her mark on the world. May she rest in peace, for her work here is done. 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the visitation for Clorena Berry to be held on Friday, March 21, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison.

A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Bethel AME Church, 53 Central Avenue, Madison.

Clorena Berry will be laid to rest at Heavenly Rest Memorial Park in East Hanover immediately following the service.

In lie of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Clorena Berry’s memory to Alzheimer’s New Jersey, 425 Eagle Rock Avenue, #203, Roseland, NJ 07068