Jim Beard Sr.

Published 12:00 am Sunday, February 15, 2015

Jim Beard Sr., 87, went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 13, 2015, at Heritage Manor of Rolling Fork.

A native of Morton, he was a resident of Vicksburg for over 64 years. He was a World War II veteran and was stationed in Japan. He retired from Marathon Letourneau with 42 years. He was a member of the Sons of the Confederacy and the Vicksburg Genealogy Society. He was also a charter member and deacon of Oakland Baptist Church. Mr. Beard was an avid gardener.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Ruthie Mae Beard; his parents, Matthew L. Beard and Eula Evelyn Beard; and siblings, Columbus Beard, Millie Ann Devore, Frank Beard, Grace Beard, Wes Beard, Mack Beard, Carrie Evader James, Jeff Beard, and Fount Beard.

He is survived by sons, Jim Beard Jr. (Linda) of Edwards, David Beard (Sherry) of Vicksburg, and Timothy Beard (Patti) of Vicksburg; daughters Carrie Williams of Vicksburg, Patsy Higginbotham (Billy) of Vicksburg, Brenda Weeks (Michael) of Olive Branch, and Myra Beard of Vicksburg; sisters-in-law Bonnie Jean Beard of Morton, Faye Moseley of Laurel, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law William and Thellas Moseley of Flowood; 11 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Services will be 11 a.m. Monday Feb. 16, 2015, at Oakland Baptist Church with Dr. Michael Weeks, Bro. Billy Higginbotham and the Rev. Dwight Sibley officiating. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Glenwood Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until service Monday at the church.

Pallbearers will be Ramey Williams, Cayce Lowery, Aaron Beard, Austin Weeks, Philip Stewart, Orbie Coston, David Walters, Tommy Beard, and James Beard. Honorary pallbearers will be T.D. Easterling, Collins Rhinehart, Mark Green, Lamar Robert, Lewis Thornton, Dwight Woodward and Robert Sibley Sr.

Memorials may be made to Oakland Baptist Church Building Fund at 2959 Oak Ridge Road, Vicksburg, MS 39183 or a charity of choice.