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The death of Chink Berry, husband of community activist Bessie Berry, brought out old-time Washington and the sporting crowd last week at the wake, which was held at Stewart's Funeral Home in Northeast Washington. In the late '60s Berry was a prominent sports figure on Ninth and on Tea Streets in Northwest Washington. I actually found out too late that Chink had passed away, but was called by old acquaintances some few days later. They tell me it was like old times. Among the many out that evening to pay their last respects to the family were Mae Hurd, former owner of the All Sports Club on Wiltburger Street, just off Tea; Mattie Davis and Forrest McAbee of the popular (then) Mattie's Sportsman's Club, which was located next door to Hot Dog Times. The owner of that establishment, Grace Paulin, was also present. Then there was Sam Ketchum of Sam K's Record Store on Seventh Street; Vernon "Fruit" Laws, a Baltimore businessman who formerly worked at the popular night spot "652" (this was during the days Joe Williams was singing 'Every Day' with the Count Basie Band and when nitelife was flourishing in Washington); Marcellas Winston, brother of the late "Lefty" Winston; Vernon Deane; Buster Jefferson; Roy Lamar; Mary Brawner; "Face" Adolphus Wiggins; Chauncy Thomas and George Williams of the 2400 Valet Dry Cleaners. Condolences are extended to Bessie and the family from the Washington Informer family.