JOHN A BERRYMAN, Madison County, GA
Tomb Bought to Prevent Extravagant Funeral

The Atlanta Journal, Sunday Morning July 30, 1922

Tomb Bought to Prevent Extravagant Funeral

By Homer Thompson

Death may approach some unsuspecting mortals unannounced and lay its
icy hand upon them unprepared, but John A. Berryman, an aged blind 
farmer of Madison county, who lives five miles west of Royston, is far 
more wary.  Heading the Scriptural injection "Watch, therefore for ye 
know neither the day nor the hour," Mr. Berryman has already selected
and paid for his own coffin, prepared his own grave, erected his own
monument and written his own epitaph.  The coffin is being kept in
readiness at Elberton and the empty grave is waiting in the Berryman
private burial ground two miles west of Royston.  All this despite the
fact that Mr. Berryman continues in the best of health even at the 
advanced age of 75 years.

When seen at his country home recently and asked by the writer why he 
had thought fit to make such preparations, Mr. Berryman said:  "I did 
it in order to avoid an extravagant funeral, partly on account of my 
brother's recent death.  He was killed in a sawmill accident and
unfortunately left no provisions in his will limiting the amount that
should be spent on his burial, consequently his monument alone cost
$3,000.  I have always lived simply and do not want anything wasted on
me.  The family will need it later on.  The coffin, grave and monument
together, cost only $600.

When it was pointed out that there might be an additional fee for the
services of the undertaker at his death, he declared "No undertaker
shall bury me.  The relatives can do that for nothing."

Throughout the interview Mrs. Berryman was present and smiled good-
naturedly at her husband's strange philosophy.

The grave has the usual depth and is chiseled out of the finest 
quality of blue granite.  A heavy granite slab, 15 inches thick, 
covers it and serves also as a monument.  Upon the slab near the
top is the following inscription:

"John A. Berryman
July 11, 1850
July 11, 1925."

The writer expressed surprise that the very day, month and year of 
death should have been anticipated, and inquired of Mr. Berryman
whether he had had a premonition as to when he would die.  "Oh no,"
he explained, "I did that for two reasons.  In the first place I
was afraid if I did not put that date on there it never would be done.
I always finish a thing before I quit it.  I do not know when I 
shall go but I am ready any time.  Then in he second place, my first
wife was born in July and died on the same date in July.  I was also
born in July and hope to die in July."

And the second wife glanced at the calendar and smiled good-naturedly
again.

Mr.  Berryman is a prominent citizen of his county and is held in the 
very highest esteem by his neighbors.  He owns his home, a farm 
containing 500 acres, is an advocate of good roads, better schools,
and votes for principles rather than parties.  He is a member of the
Universalist church and a prominent Mason, the emblem of which 
fraternity is engraved upon his monument.  Though frail by nature
he has never been sick, but for five years has been almost totally
blind.  He talks well and takes great interest in discussing current
events.

As the writer took his departure the voice of the blind philosopher 
became husky.  He lifted a hand for attention.  "You will notice," he
said, "as you go back by the graveyard a low tombstone out in one 
corner of the place, that is where we buried Old Fly, my mother's old
buggy mule.  She was foaled in 1868 and died in 1908 and a better mule 
never lived.  My first wife and I drove her to Hiawassee on our honey-
moon 40 years ago.

And the old man's tears flowed copiously.

Barely does one meet a man so unusual.  His tender regard for his beast,
his brotherly regard for his fellow man, his habit of thift, his good 
citizenship and his calm demeanor as he awaits unafraid the call of the 
Grim Reaper, are characteristic of his wholesome life and his quaint
character.