Individual Details

Death

Funeral services for J.R. Beard, of Wesson, are 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, at Riverwood Family Funeral Service Chapel, with burial in Little Bahala Baptist Cemetery. Visitation is Tuesday from 5 until 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Beard, 79, died Monday, May 31, 2010, at his residence. He was born in Wesson on Aug. 20, 1931, to Clarence and Quinnie Beard. He was a longtime employee of Potter Company and served as a deputy for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office for many years. He was a lifelong member of Little Bahala Baptist Church. He recently was presented his 50-year membership pin by the J.M. Masonic Lodge in Wesson. He served in the United States Navy from 1951 until 1955 aboard the USS Iowa. Mr. Beard was an avid sportsman who loved hunting and fishing and protecting wildlife. He also spent a lot of his time promoting these sports with the youth in his community and organized the first fishing tournament at Lake Lincoln, as he lived within sight of the lake since it was built. He spent many years as a volunteer deputy sheriff and then as a deputy. He was dedicated to his church and community as being someone who could always be called on to help. He loved gardening and for several years he won the Largest Tomato Contest in the community. His devoted companion since the death of his wife is his little Pomeranian, "Dude," whom he loved with all his heart. Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife of 52 years, Bobbie Nell Mullen Beard; and his infant son, Tommy Ray Beard. Survivors are his daughters and sons-in-law, Darlene and Ward Gaston, and Deloris and Randy Furr; his sister, Mary Louella Floyd; his brother, Charles Ray Beard; and a host of nieces and nephews. His three nephews, David Floyd, Randall and Robert Beard, were more like sons to him, and he cared for a special niece-in-law, Kathy Beard, like a daughter. Pallbearers are David Floyd, Randall Beard, Robert Beard, John Paul Martin, Todd May, Shane Furr and Mark Sanders. Honorary pallbearers are Jimmy Redd, Harold Rutland, Herman Cavin, Jimmy Kees, Dave Weathersby and Lynn Boyte.