Herbert Berry Page

Amory - Herbert Berry Page died April 3, 2016 in Amory, Mississippi. A life-long resident of Amory, he was a friend to many, a well-liked, humble man with a dry sense of humor. People often stopped and spoke to him when he was out around town. Some might be surprised to learn that he flew missions over the Himalayas from India to China as an aerial engineer, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star along with other medals. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who enjoyed his company and thought that he was a remarkable man. They appreciated him for his loyalty, kindness, and sense of calm. He had an appreciation of each day and always said that everything was good because “he had plenty to eat, a good bed to sleep in and a roof over his head.”

He was inducted into the army in 1942 at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. He then moved to Biggs Field Texas, an Operational Training Unit location for the army for about a year to training to serve as an aerial engineer for B24 and B29 planes. Next, he went to El Paso for “flying training,” then to St. Louis for more training, and then to Miami for a few days before going oversees to an Assam base, near Calcutta, India. During WWII, participating in the India-Burma and China Defense campaigns, he flew 32 missions, mostly over ‘The Hump,’ the Himalayas from Assam, India to Kunming, China to re-supply the Chinese war effort for Chiang Kai-shek and the US forces based in China. The dangerous 530-mile long passage, known also as the ‘Aluminum Trail,’ took its toll, including losses of 1,000 men and 600 planes during the campaign. Along with the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star, he was also awarded the Air Medal, the Distinguished Unit Badge, and the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with two bronze service stars, along with the Good Conduct Medal. After his last mission, he returned to Miami and later was discharged from Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama in 1945.

Returning to Amory, he began to work as a switchman on the Frisco Railroad where his father worked, and he graduated from Amory High School. He married the late Sarah Marcheta Abrams Page on August 19, 1951.

His other work included years in the cutting room at Wilson Manufacturing Company, purchasing a Standard Oil station, driving a truck for the Wax Seed Company, and work at the “light plant”/water treatment plant. During these years, he also farmed. Later, he was promoted to Superintendent of the Sanitation department. He created and organized the garbage routes for the Sanitation department. He retired from the city of Amory after 32 years of service.

Herbert had a creative side and was resourceful with his many hobbies. He built and remodeled Model A cars, boats, homes, water wheels, and wagons. He would find pieces that others had thrown away and re-purposed them to make useful things.

He is predeceased by his wife, Marcheta Abrams Page, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.W. Page, his sister, Sara Lourline Page Ross and brother-in-law William M. Ross and brother, Frank O. Page, Sr. and sister-in-law Geneva C. Page all of Amory, Mississippi, and sister-in-law Margery Abrams Alexander of Mesquite, Texas, brothers-in-law Benford Abrams of Leeds, Alabama and Howell H. Abrams of Pensacola, Florida, and nieces Marnee Alexander Brown Basson of Columbus, Mississippi and Kaye Alexander Marler of Jackson, Mississippi.

Survivors include nieces Carol Page Prevost of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Sara Page Newsome of Conway, Arkansas and Sarah Alexander Crenshaw of Mesquite, Texas, and nephews Frank O. Page, Jr. of Birmingham, Alabama, George Alexander of Venice, Florida, and Edward Abrams of Leeds, Alabama.

The service will be held at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home, Amory, Mississippi, on Thursday, April 7, 2016, at 1:00 PM with Dr. Allen Simpson officiating. Visitation begins at 12:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials in honor of Mr. Herbert Page to the Frank and Geneva Page Mission Fund, c/o First Baptist Church, PO Box 540, Amory, MS 38821.

Memories and condolences may be shared with his family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com.