Elijah Taylor Berry (May 23,1990-January 3, 2023)
Elijah Taylor Berry, 32, took his unexpected final bow on January 3rd, 2023. He was truly a cherished friend, son, grandson, and brother. Those who knew him have rarely met anyone quite the same.
Elijah, a Jonesborough native, was the son of Jeffrey and Kathryn Berry. Elijah’s heart was in acting & film before he could even take the stage, with childhood idols like Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, and Vincent Price. Like his parents before him, Eli performed countless roles at regional theaters like the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre, the Johnson City Community Theatre, as well as the City Youth Ballet. Elijah had a gift for creating an audience out of thin air, performing everywhere from living rooms to lyric opera theaters. As he grew to entertain endless audiences, he grew to educate, hosting silent film screenings and open discussions at regional theaters and universities, as well as teaching children’s acting courses with California’s Palo Alto Children’s Theatre. Elijah’s passions, from film to family, were clear to anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him, learning from him, and loving him, from day one until the end.
Elijah was preceded in death by his father, Jeffrey Alan Berry; his mother Kathryn Elayne Moore; his grandfather, Albert Murray Berry. He is survived by his grandmother, Margaret Anne Berry; his great-aunt, Joyce Potter; his sister, Marlee Irene Berry.
A celebration of Elijah’s life will be held at the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre on Thursday, January 12, with visitation beginning at 11 a.m. and the service following at noon. All friends and fans of Eli are welcome and encouraged to honor his beautiful memory.
We encourage anyone who wants to support the family to donate to Everytown for Gun Safety in order to help prevent and educate on gun violence in America.
01/13/2023
Shannon stinnett
I knew Elijah from city youth ballet. I was a instructor there, and got to know him. He was a very talented young man, very kind. A friend to all. We loved him. He will be missed. The stages will not be the same without him. To his family I have you in my prayers.
01/12/2023
William (Bill) Dee Smith, Jr,
For Marlee: I had the honor of serving as a school administrator for University School in the time frame of Elijah's and your attendance. With much sadness, yet tempered with pride that I send you the following Arthur Miller quote, which epitomizes my memory of Elijah: "There is a certain immortality involved in theatre, created not by monuments or books, but through the knowledge an actor carries with him to his dying day that in an empty and dusty theatre, on a certain afternoon, he cast a shadow of a being that was not himself, but a distillation of everything he had ever thought..."
Today as we celebrate your life, the world is a little colder. You were a pillar of the community, loved by so so many and your memory is not one that can ever be forgotten. I knew you since I was 17 years old, and not a day went by that we weren't able to reconnect like no time had passed since last we saw each other. Rest easy, Eli. You outshone this world with your light.
Elijah had a big impact on the theatrical community here in the San Francisco Bay Area. He performed in several shows with The Lamplighters Music Theatre in San Francisco, and with Lyric Theatre in San Jose. He was a very talented, earnest, and energetic young man. He played the roles of Scaramba, a dissident, in Sousa's "El Capitan", and Bunthorne, the idolized poet, in Gilbert and Sullivan's "Patience", as well as many ensemble roles with both companies, and always lit up the stage with his undeniable comic presence. Scores of castmates from several shows were saddened to hear of his death. A memorial service for Eli is planned here in the Bay Area in the next few weeks.
01/11/2023
Jennifer Gillenwater
I had the great privilege of teaching Eli in my Spanish class. I’ll always remember him as a kind, intelligent and talented young man. I am so sorry for this tremendous loss.
I met Elijah when he was in California. He was such a sweetheart, a talented performer, and a good friend. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
01/11/2023
Jean Archer Campbell
to Margaret Anne Berry, Eli's grandmother,
I am so sorry to hear of Eli' tragic death. I am a former Jonesboro High School classmate (1947-48) where we shared the Opus Music Club. I fondly recall coaching Eli's father Jeff in his memorable role as Curley in the David Crocket Production of Oklahoma. I share the family's grief and pray that God will give them joyous memories and comforting peace.
love, Jean Archer Campbell
I enjoyed teaching Eli at Jonesborough Elementary. He was interested and so creative. I had just reconnected with him on Facebook when he returned to Jonesborough. I loved readings about his adventures. I was so sorry to hear of his death.
I was so sorry to hear about Eli's death. I was in some shows in the Lamplighters with him, and he was a constant source of amusement and humor. The world has lost a person who added a lot to it, and he will be greatly missed. :-(
What a great soul..I was blessed for the time I spent with you and your dad. I could never be in a down mood around you. The world lost an amazing person but I can see you catching up with your dad and I know he is proud of you. Thank you for befriending this old Deputy.
01/11/2023
Angie Ingle Adams
I grew up going to church with Eli’s dad and grandparents and had the pleasure of meeting Eli when he worked at Amigos. He never failed to always greet me with this bigger than life smile and I know he is going to be greatly missed. Margaret I do hope you know that you and your granddaughter are in my prayers.
01/11/2023
Evelynne Drinker
I met Elijah when he was here in California. Eli, as I knew him, was a cherished friend of a close friend of mine, and he was the epitome of a gentleman. He was helpful, kind, patient and above all, very funny. I am honored to have hugged and appreciated him.
This guy was my best friend in high school and I’ll always Cherish the memories that I have with him
I cannot express my deep sadness over the loss of this amazing guy. He will be truly missed. A true talent. Marlee I love you and my heart is with you and your family.
01/10/2023
LINDA zollinger
ELI WENT TO UH WITH MY SONS IN ACTING WITH DR BORDAN...MEMORIES WERE MADE....FRIENDSHIPS WERE MADE.......I SEND CONDOLANCES TO THE FAMILY ON THIS LIFE AND FRIEND TAKEN TOO SOON....PRAYERS FOR EVERYONE!
01/10/2023
Paul & Linda King
Marlee-
You have been on our hearts after we heard the devastating of Eli’s passing. He was such an interesting and lovely fellow and you have been in our prayers and on our minds. God bless you during this season of grief.
Praying for the family of Eli. I went to high school and worked with his father Jeff for many years.
