Beryl Anglin

Beryl May Anglin was born on May 31st, 1930, in Cambridge St. James, Jamaica, to Loretta and Henry Lewis.  She was the third of nine children. She also had one half-brother who preceded her in death.  Beryl attended Cambridge Elementary School and completed her studies there. As a young woman, she moved to Montego Bay, where she lived until she migrated to the United States in December 1979. Beryl lived in Maywood, IL, from 1979 to 1999.  When she retired, she moved to Rochester, NY.  She lived there until 2018, when she transitioned to live with one of her daughters in Michigan. She subsequently moved to Conyers, GA, in October 2024.

She was baptized in the Pentecostal church at an early age and would later attend church on a consistent and regular basis. She truly loved her God and served her God and would attend church no matter where she was.  She was a God-fearing woman who had a relationship with God all her life.

Beryl was one of the most giving, one of the kindest people (she would give you the shirt off her back). She loved to cook and share with others.  She loved her family and friends and was willing to do anything for them. 

Beryl was a hard worker; she started her work life at a very early age. She worked at the Bay Rock Hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica, where she worked for approximately 30 years.  While in the United States, she was employed at Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park, IL, for approximately 20 years before retiring in 1999. She very much believed in the value of education. She was a vibrant, engaging, opinionated, and something else at all times. She loved children, especially babies.  She was a nurturer and giver all her life.

She was the proud mother of four children: two daughters from a previous relationship, Alvera Ferguson (Leroy Ferguson) and Cynthia Wilson (Roderick Wilson), and two children from her marriage to Selvin Gray, Tony Gray (who preceded her in death) and Joan Vetter. She later entered a second marriage with Hugh Kerr Anglin, with whom she shared many years, though no children were born of that union.

She was one of nine siblings, six sisters of all of whom preceded her in death, and one brother who also preceded her in death. She is survived by her beloved sister, Emaline McPherson, who remained a constant source of love and support throughout her life.

She also leaves behind four loving grandchildren, Junet Barret, Kevin Gray, Sr (Geri Gray), Leo Ferguson (Kayann Ferguson), and Leon Ferguson (Rochelle Ferguson), 6 great-grandchildren, Chad Kirkland (Velvett Kirkland), Kevin Gray, Jr, Christian Gray, Adelia Ferguson, Imla Ferguson, and Tenahli Etha Ferguson, and one great-great-grandson, Micheal Kirkland, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. Among them, she shared a special bond with Winston Robinson, Sr. (Stephanie Robinson), Sandra Prear (Kelly Prear), Sharon Hammerstein (Lindel Hammerstein), Michael McPherson (TiShaunda McPherson), Jaqueline Turner (Turner), Lorraine Insula, Christine Insula, Veronica Clark, Marie Shea and Lenox South who held a cherished place in her heart and were faithfully present throughout her life. She is also lovingly remembered by many other nieces and nephews, both near and far. In addition, she is survived by extended family members and dear friends, including special friends, Antoinette Rousell and Katherine Roberts-Adams (Kwon Adams), and Merlene, who enriched her life with love, laughter, and companionship. Her presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her life touched many, and her legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Beryl Anglin, please visit our floral store.