Jessie L. Beard
Jessie L. Beard, 81, of Columbia City, died at 3:22 a.m. Monday, July 13, 2015, at Englewood Healthcare, Fort Wayne, where she had been a resident.
She was born April 27, 1934 in Archie, Louisiana a daughter of the late Howard and Minnie (Johnson) Wilkinson. She spent her formative years in Alexandria, La. and graduated from Bolton High School. She received her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La. She furthered her education at Indiana University, Fort Wayne.
On June 19, 1954,she was united in marriage to Philip E. Beard. They made their home in the Columbia City area. Mr. Beard died Oct. 16, 2014.
She worked 18 years for the Columbia City Schools where she taught 3rd grade at Mary Raber Elementary School for 16 years.
She was a member of the Columbia City United Methodist Church and was actively involved. She was a past president of United Methodist Woman, a member of Delta Theta Tau Alumni, Whitley County Literacy Council, Whitley County Retired Teachers, Indiana Retired Teachers Association, Philomathean Society and the Whitley County Memorial Hospital Volunteers. She was an avid flower gardener and loved to feed the birds.
Surviving relatives include her two children: Michael L. (Karen) Beard, Columbia City; and Brenda K. (Abbey) Gross, Indianapolis; six grandchildren: Jennifer (Jacob) Courter; Jeffrey (Jessica) BEard; Ashley (Kevin) Eubanks; Kimberly (Jason) Lauer; Amanda Gross; and Jaclyn (David) Flint; nine great-grandchildren; and a sister: Lola Fuqua, Alexandria, La.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister: Nena Shelton; and two brothers: Howard and Hardy Wilkinson.
The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday at the Columbia City United Methodist Church. The burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Preferred memorials are to the Columbia City United Methodist Church, Parkview Whitley Foundation or Alzheimer’s Association.