Alvina Deberry

Alvina DeBerry, of Great Falls, died of natural causes on April 27, 2015 at the age of 85 years young.The vigil service will be on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. The funeral service will be held on Friday, May 1, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel with burial of ashes to follow at Highland Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Alvina, Indian name Grandmother Spirit was born June 6, 1929 at home in Rocky Boy, Montana to Dave and Rose LaMere. She was one of eleven children, nine of which preceded her in death. As a child she attended St. Jude Catholic School until 8th grade. After school she went to work to help support her family. She worked at the Soda Fountain at 13, than at 15 went to work in housekeeping, but her favorite job was waitressing with her sister Adeline at the Chili Parlor. This is where she met the love of her life Rufus Bill DeBerry. They married April 13, 1950 and were blessed with seven children, Alvina, Susan, Ronald, Mary, Carol, Patricia, and Ruth Dianne. After the kids were born Alvina, Bill, and the kids traveled, living in places like Chicago, North Carolina, and California. They established a permanent home in Great Falls.She enjoyed bingo with her friends, Maxine, Chicken, and Donna; beading, pow wows, and rummaging; as well as hosting her own yard sales where you could always enjoy one of her famous Indian Tacos.Grandma Alvina was a kind, strong, and loving matriarch who joined her loving husband and baby in heaven. She always had a smile to greet people that came to visit, as her door was always open to anyone. She was an amazing person that would show everyone unconditional love. She had such a giant heart with a special place for every one of us. She always had a positive outlook on life, appreciating each moment even when in pain. Our mom, sister, aunt, grandma, great grandma, great-great grandma and matriarch will be missed dearly. We do know that she is smiling down from Heaven feeling the best she has ever felt with her husband, baby and other loved ones by her side.She is survived by brother Elmer Man LaMere; sister Adeline Gonzales; six children, Alvina Sayers, Susan Sanchez-Goss, Ronnie DeBerry, Mary DeBerry, Carol Foster, and Patricia Keatts; all of Great Falls; 40 grandchildren; 91 great grandchildren; 15 great-great grandchildren; and many extended nieces and nephews.Our mother helped each of her children and grandchildren without hesitation, because she loved us all equally.Alvina was preceded in death by husband Rufus Bill DeBerry; daughter Ruth Dianne Laverdure; brothers Dave, John, Martin, Louis, and Thomas LaMere; sisters Mary Jane Daniels and Lucy Sangrey; and four grandchildren.