Ed Beard

Edward Kyle “Ed” Beard, at age 79, departed this life on Monday, November 28, 2022 from North Miss. Medical Center after a brief illness.  Ed was born in the Shakerag Community of Chickasaw County on October 6, 1943 and lived there all his life expect for 6 years service in the U. S. Army.  He was the 3 of 7 children born to the late Felix A. Beard and Mamie Lois Pilgreen Beard.  A patriotic American, Ed served in the U. S. Army from Jan. 20, 1961 until his honorable discharge on Jan. 19, 1967.  He worked many years at Futorian Furniture Manufacturing Company in Okolona  before becoming the owner  of Beard’s Grocery, a business he and his wife, Martha ran for 28 years.  An avid outdoorsman, he was an avid lifelong crappie fisherman loved hunting deer and quail in his younger years.  He was devoted to his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchild and always enjoyed the time he spent with them. Ed was a lifelong faithful member of Boone’s Chapel United Methodist Church.

A service celebrating his life, with military honors, will be held at 3 PM Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at Boone’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Okolona with Rev. Melvin Aycock and Rev. Bill Cornett officiating.  Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery.  Visitation for the public will begin at 1 PM at the Church on Wednesday.  Holland Funeral Directors-Okolona Chapel is honored to be serving their friends.

Ed is survived by his wife of 57 years, Martha Edington Beard, to whom he married at Boone’s Chapel Church on August 7, 1965; his children, Rodney Beard and wife, Lisa and Chad Beard all of Okolona; his daughter in law, Lisa Beard of Wren; two brothers, Amon Beard and Alvie Beard and his wife, Sue all of the Okolona area; his 4 grandchildren, who Grandaddy and PaPaw completely enjoyed, Lauren Beard Gillard (Terrence) of Wren and Hunter, Coty and Savannah Beard all of Okolona; 1 great grandson, Jayden Beard of Wren.   He was preceded in death by his parents, his eldest son, Eddie Beard, who died June 16, 2022 and his siblings, Glenda Seymore, Brenda McCreight,  Linda Kimbrel and Bobby Beard.

Pallbearers are Coty, Hunter and Clay Beard, Jamie Long, Charles Harris and Jimbo Corley.

The family request that memorial donation be made to the Boone’s Chapel Cemetery Fund, c/o Johnna Corley, 341 CR 411, Okolona, Ms. 38860.  Condolences may be e mailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net