Mary Emily House

Mary Emily Berney House got to see the face of her Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, January 23, 2022. We can only imagine that her grandson, ZAC, led her through the Pearly Gates, straight to a most glorious and long-awaited family reunion with her parents, Thelma and Henry Berney; her grandparents, Lindy and Locke Smith; her sister, Elaine Mayton; brother, Henry Berney; and nephews, Shawn Berney and Rick Grandmaison. Though she claimed, "I don't have many accomplishments to speak of", if you were ever around Mary for a moment, you would be more than awed at her strength and her love for her family and friends.

She was known by many names. She was called MARY by Roger, her loving husband of 57 years. He attests that she was the strength and backbone to their relationship and family, and the love of his life. She truly was the matriarch, the glue and magnet that has kept us all together. She loved Dad through all the derailments and long nights and weekends the railroad took him away from us. She raised us girls and kept Dad's world in check. Us girls called her MOMMA. Lela Diane Mauerhan (Guy) has always said that she was a force to be reckoned with and a strength that would leave her in awe. Laurie Ellen Guillory (David) will always remember how she stood strong for family, especially hers. She was opinionated and didn't mind letting you know it. Wendy Jade Chamberlain (Shawn) will hold the compassion and support, of the friend that mom became. She loved us girls and everyone knew it. Mary Emily was the name her family and dear friend would endearingly call her. Her oldest sister, Ellen was a pillar and a friend that according to Mary, never gave all the ingredients to her recipes! To her niece, Vicky Grandmaison Davis, she was AUNT E.

Mary raised Vicky most of her life and treated and loved her as her own. Mary loved Vicky's three boys, Bert Gogan (Krista), Dennis Gogan, and Eric Gogan(Stephanie) as her grandchildren. Her nieces and nephews, Carol Greene (Danny), Craig Burge (Heidi), Thomas Burge (Chaquita), Justin Berney (Jaime), Becky Thibodeau (Gary), Scott Brookes (Angela), and Richard Brooks all called her AUNT E. But of all her monumental accomplishments, her favorite name was NANA. That is what her most beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren called her. They would pitch a fit to stay with "Nana and Papaw". Oh, she could spoil a child! There is absolutely nothing she would not do for her grands and great grands. There is walking proof in April and Chase (Carrie) Pawlik, Cameron Sanchez (Chase), Laila Grace Jones, Sarah Jade and Amanda Gail Chamerberlain. Nothing was more precious than those great-grandbabies, Lyla Lombardino, Violet Sanchez and Mya and Hope Pawlik and Hayden and Sunny Gogan. Mary cherished her lifelong friends and always instilled in her girls the need to enjoy and surround themselves with a tribe of strong women who support, love and fiercely defend you unconditionally. Her friends have supported her and our family through this journey and we will all forever be grateful to them. They have shared stories that made us laugh and cry and brought a light to her beautiful blue eyes and words to her mouth in her darkest hour.

Mary left her mark on all of us. From the lesson of kindness of always having "strays" at our big holiday dinners to instilling a respect for our elders and love for Jesus Christ. It was her that taught us family is the most important and richest treasure of all. And as gentle as she was, she was also a warrior. She fought for her family and in the end, she fought a hard and difficult battle. She is truly the victor. We are all jealous of the angels that are with her now. Soon we will be reunited with her as she leads us all home. You are so loved Momma.

Funeral Services honoring the life of Mary Emily Berney House will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be Reverend Murray Twyman. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m at the funeral home. Interment will immediately follow in Memorial Gardens North on Dixie Blanchard Road in Blanchard, Louisiana. Officiating the Graveside Service will be Reverend Steve Fowler.

Honoring Mary as pallbearers will be Shawn Chamberlain, Guy Mauerhan, David Guillory, Chase Pawlik, Craig Burge, Thomas Burge, Justin Berney, and Bert Gogan, Jr.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Eric Gogan, Dennis Gogan, Harold Golden, and Gary Hart.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Snead and the Christus Cancer Treatment Center and Christus Hospice team for their care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.