It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.' Philippians 2:13 (NIV). A retired educator of 36 years, Theresa M. Berryhill peacefully departed this life Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. This cycle of life began Jan. 8, 1924, in Zachary. Theresa was born the second of 13 children to George and Oena Millican. Despite their limited schooling, her parents placed a high value on education and made sacrifices to ensure that Theresa and her siblings received the best possible education. Her early years of education were spent at Little Star Primary School and Zachary Colored School. At this time, since there were no black high schools in Zachary; she would ride the train each week to Baton Rouge to stay with her aunt, where she attended and graduated from McKinley High School. After completing high school, she worked a short while in the job market before going on to college. In 1952, she graduated from Southern University with a bachelor's degree in home economics, and did further studies at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. Theresa was raised in a Christian home where her parents taught her to fear the awesomeness of God and to have deep abiding faith in Jesus Christ. Consequently, she confessed Christ, was baptized at an early age and became a member of New Pilgrim Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Mack Hill, where she remained until her death. She served faithfully and diligently as chairman of the Deaconess Ministry, was a member of the Pastor's Outreach Ministry, served on the Finance Ministry, By-Laws Committee, Book Club Ministry, served as a vacation Bible school teacher and supported other ministries within the church. Theresa met and married her beloved husband Eddie at an early age and this union was blessed with the birth of her only daughter, Avis. Theresa began her professional career as teacher in the early 1950s in Sunset and later taught school in East High School in Clinton. After 36 years of teaching home economics, she retired from Clinton High School in 1991. By no means was this the end of her teaching career; because of her love for people and teaching, she accepted a job with the Baton Rouge Recreation and Park Commission as a sewing/art and crafts instructor until her death. Venues where she instructed included Turner Plaza, Anna T. Jordan Park, BREC summer camps, the Hot Air Balloon Festival, the Gingerbread House and Mills Street Center. Theresa was initiated into Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., where she served actively for 68 years. She served in the capacities as Basileus (president) and Anti-Basileus (vice president), treasurer, and chaplain of Mu Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Theresa served as chairman of Hal Jackson's Talented Teens Pageant, marshal for the 38th Southwestern Regional Conference, etiquette trainer for the debutante and served on countless of other committees. Theresa was an 'active' member in the community and the various organizations in which she had membership, 'not just a name on the roll.' As a member of the Non Pareil Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, she had served as chairman of the Senior Citizens Thrust Committee. She also served as chairman of the hospitality committee of the East Baton Rouge Parish Alumni Federation. She was a member of the Eden Park Action Committee, Belfair Community Association, a 50-year member of the Debonair Civic and Social Club, Belfair Clinging Vine Garden Club, and past representative of the Greater Baton Rouge Pan Hellenic Council. During the course of her life, Theresa received numerous awards, certificates, plaques and trophies, including but not limited to 50 Years of Service Award - Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Woman of the Year, East Baton Rouge Alumni Federation Alumnus of the Year, recipient of the 2006 President's Award, Clinton High School Teacher of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award rendered by her family members. Left to cherish wonderful memories are her devoted sisters, Barbara Montgomery, of Oakland, Calif., and Viola Bonvillian, of Houma; brothers, Isadore and wife Faye, Arcadia; the Rev. Felton and wife the Rev. Izola, Oakland; Daniel and wife Corrine, and Freddie and wife Charlie Mae, Baton Rouge; James and wife Geraldine, Zachary; and Frank Millican, of Sacramento, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Millican, of Zachary; a godchild, Linda Gail Sterling; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Oena and George Millican; a daughter, Avis; her loving husband of 62 years, Eddie; two sisters, Ella Mae Daniels and Iceola Matthews; a brother, George Millican; two sisters-in-law, Georgia Thompson and Annette Vaughn; and two brothers-in-law, Alvin and Robert Simpson. Theresa loved and led an extraordinary life of courage, grace and dignity. She leaves a legacy of love, strength, compassion and genuine concern for family, her students and everyone that she met. Theresa Millican Berryhill enjoyed life and people. Viewing will be held at Winnfield Funeral Home, 7221 Plank Road, on Friday, Dec. 3, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a Top Ladies of Distinction Ritual Ceremony at 7 p.m. Visiting will be at New Pilgrim Baptist Church, 4415 Old Weis Road, Zachary, on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. until Omega Rho Ritual at 10 a.m. Religious service at the church at 11 a.m To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Theresa Berryhill, please visit our floral store.