Berlie Thomas Custis

Mr. Berlie Thomas Custis, 88, beloved husband of Lucille Bundick “Susie” Custis, passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2020, at his home in Cashville, VA. Born September 9, 1932 in Cashville, he was the son of the late Lynwood Oswell Custis and Gertrude Hundley Custis.

Berlie proudly served his country in the United States Army. Upon honorable discharge, he returned home to his waterman roots, spending countless hours gillnetting aboard his most prized possession, “My Gal.” For sixty years, Berlie fished the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and owned and operated Custis & Brown Seafood in Washington, DC. Few people in the seafood business didn’t know the name Berlie Custis, a name associated with a hardworking, honest man of his word, who never hesitated to tell it like it was. Berlie was a lifelong member of Broadway Baptist Church.

In addition to his loving wife, Susie, he is survived by his children, William Thomas “Bill Tom” Custis and his wife, Bonnie, of Cashville, Catherine Leigh Custis and her husband, Bob, of Richmond, VA, Michael Warren Custis and his wife, Pam, of Cashville, and Berlie Thomas Custis, Jr. of Texas; grandchildren, Brandy Custis Childress and her husband, Shane, of Accomac, VA, William Thomas “Bill” Custis, Jr. of Covington, KY, Chloe Custis Tatum and her husband, Hunter of Quinby, VA, and Chris Gill of Richmond; brother-in-law, Parker Johnson of Hopeton, VA, sister-in-law, Olive Custis of Maryland; two great-grandsons; and one great-great grandson; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Berlie was predeceased by his sister, Gloria Custis Johnson and brother, Johnny Custis.

Funeral services will be conducted from the graveside at the Fairview Lawn Cemetery on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 2:00 p.m., with The Reverends Albert Crockett and Danny Shrieves officiating.

Contributions in Berlie’s memory may be made to the Eastern Shore SPCA, P.O. Box 164, Onley, VA 23418 or online at www.shorespca.com.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com. 

Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.

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