Celebration of life held for Dr. Carol Berz

A capacity crowd who came together Friday evening to celebrate the life of Dr. Carol Berz at the Family Justice Center.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Last month, the city of Chattanooga lost councilwoman Dr. Carol Berz.

Tonight, many across the city of Chattanooga came to pay their respects at a celebration of life.

The legacy of Dr. Berz was honored by family, friends, and colleagues at the Dr. Carol Berz Family Justice Center.

Her son, Rob Berz, said, “Carol knew that from early on that justice was a fundamental tenet of being human. Mom surrounded us all with beautiful art and she always showed us that taking action and being just is what it means to be human.”

One thing many pointed out was the fierce tenacity she brought to every aspect of her life.

Chattanooga City Council clerk, Nicole Gwyn, said, “Why do you have so many degrees?”, and Dr. Berz said, “Because I can. Because I did it for every man who told me I couldn’t!”

Her enduring legacy will be at the Family Justice Center, which is being renamed in her honor as the Dr. Carol Berz Family Justice Center.

The center’s executive director, Regina McDevitt, said, “She just always had such a vision for helping women in particular. She wanted to have a place for victims where they could come.”

From her time as city councilwoman, to professor, to family mediator, to mother, everyone who spoke said it was a life well lived.

Chief of Staff for Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, Jermaine Freeman, said, “Her legacy is not just about her accomplishments in this community, although there are many, her legacy is about the generations she has shaped. I can so clearly see her influence in their ambition and how they carry themselves. It is a testament who Dr. Berz was, not just as a leader and a policy maker, but as a grandmother, mother, and human being. “

The Family Justice Center will be holding a separate ceremony in the coming weeks to begin a new era, named after Dr. Berz.