Grady Gerald Beard, Sr.

Click here to view Video Memorial TributeGrady “HOT” Gerald Beard, Sr. age 79, died Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at his home in Pope, MS. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 12, 2011, at Wells Funeral Home Chapel, Batesville, MS with Reverend Lester Tankersley officiating. Interment will follow in Forrest Memorial Park, Batesville, MS. Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, February 11, 2011, at Wells Funeral Home. Grady was born on April 20, 1931 in Pope, MS to Arthur Floyd and Jessie Christine Daugherty Beard. He was a member of Liberty Hill Baptist Church in Pope. Mr. Beard served in the United States Army. He was the owner and operator of The Corner Grocery for 28 years in Pope, MS. Grady was a long time successful farmer. He also worked as a machinist at the Hosiery Mill in Batesville. Survivors include his wife, Norma Jean Bonner Beard of Pope, MS; daughter, Barbara Joyce Beard of Temple, TX and step-daughter, Bobbie Jean Little of Batesville, MS; 2 sons, Grady Gerald Beard, Jr., of Pope, MS, Gerald Wayne Beard of Pope, MS; 2 step-sons, Jerry Dover of Pope, MS and Tommy King of Sarah, MS; one sister, Sandra Martindale of Pope, MS; 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Along with his parents, Grady is preceded by one sister, Jeanette True; brother, Afton Beard and a step-granddaughter, Jerri Lynn Dover Tutor. The family requests that memorials be sent to the American Cancer Society. Pallbearers will be Darrell Travis Smith, Stony Dale Leisbensperger, Adam Jeremiah Beard, Jimmy Martindale, Scotty McCain, Jody True. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ronnie Davis, Gene Baker, Doug Foster, Charles Copeland, Paul Williams, Dennis Darby, Terry Hubbard and Casey Beard.