Obituary of Jimmy Lee Beard

FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY - SERVICES ALREADY COMPLETED

On Saturday, February 13,202I, |immy Lee Beard a loving husband, father, brother, uncle,
and a friend wanted to let you know that his work here on earth is done. He received a calling
he could not refuse. He left detailed instructions for his wife and children to celebrate his
mission here on earth.
Jimmy Lee Beard (Jim) was born May l, 1950, the youngest of four children, born to the late
Willie B. and Viola George Beard in Magnolia, Arkansas.
Jim accepted Christ at an early age at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Magnolia and was
very active, serving as Superintendent of Sunday School, President of the Choir, and Youth
BTU Leader. Jim was also very active in the Columbia District Baptist Association, serving
in many capacities. He and his family later joined Concord Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas.
Jim graduated from Columbia High School, in Magnolia, Arkansas in 1968. He excelled
academically and in extra curriculum activities, especially sports. |im was a standout, a star
basketball player, so much so that after graduation he received a basketball scholarship to
Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. His basketball career took him to
Dallas Baptist Universitywhere he continued his academic ventures, excelling inbasketball,
earning him the privilege to play with a professional basketball team in Leon, Mexico in
1974. lim received a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Recreational and Political Science. He became a Charter
Member of the St. John Masonic Lodge #456, Stephens, Arkansas.

While attending Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas he met and married Wanda Kay Harris in 1970
in Magnolia, Arkansas, to this union, 3 sons were born. He and his family moved to Fordyce, Arkansas where he was
employed with Phelps Dodge. He later moved his family to Dallas, Tþxas where he was employed for over 20 years as a manager at Chaparral Steel.
During Jim's employment in the Steel Industry, he mentored and assisted many in obtaining jobs. He believed in reachíng back and bringing those who  wished to come along with him as he forged up the ladder of success. |im retired in 2008 from
the Dallas Independent School District at Village Fair Alternative School. Jim had great
intellect and insight which fortified his opportunities, as an entrepreneur, with this came
ownership of a Williams Chicken Franchise in Corsicana, Texas, as well as Cofounder and
CEO of A Place Like Home.

Where there is love there is life and Jim loved life. Jim loved his family, loved to travel, but
when he relaxed, he liked to sit back and watch western movies, or listen to jazz and R &
B music. He loved good foods and desserts some of his likes were, fried chicken, salmon,
shrimp, German chocolate cake, and coconut crème pies. Jim believed that love was the
master key that opens the gates to happiness.
It is rare for most people to find one great love, but fim was blessed twice when he met
Sandra Brownlow whom he fell in love with and married in 2009. Jim often spoke of the
love and care he received from Sandra. Ever the romantic, fim made sure Sandra knew she
came first in their world.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Wiley C. Beard and Willie D. Beard;
one sister, Mary Louise Beard, and his loving wife, Wanda of 36 years.
He leaves to cherish fond memories with his loving and caring wife, Sandra Beard; 4 sons,
Charles Anton (Tony) Smith (Milwaukee, WI), Korey LeDon Beard (Roanoke, TX), Khalid
Lateef Beard and Jamil LaShama Beard (Dallas, TX)tZ special sons, Keith (Rebecca) Rufus
(DeSoto, TX) and Darrell Watson (Memphis, TN); ¡ bonus sons, Deodrick (Emerald)
Brownlow (Cleburne, TX), Garland Davis (Dallas, TX), Garvin (Teneka) Graves (Indiana);
1 special daughter, Tia (John) Wesson (Magnolia, AR); I bonus daughter, Alexcia (Anthony)
Chestnut (Cedar Hill, TX); 2 grandchildren, |ames Lee Beard (Overland Park, KS) and
Kiara (Stewart) McKinney (Dallas, Tx); 3 special grandchildren, Josh Wesson, Zachary
andZaria Rufus; 3 special great grandchildren, Paris, Jaxson and Lincoln Wesson; 3 bonus
grandchildren, Jaxson, Julian, and Kiana Brownlow (Cleburne, TX); beloved sister, Gracie
W. Tucker (Magnolia, AR); special sister, Yvonne )o Harris (DeSoto, TX); sister-in-law Rose
Beard (Houston, TX); mother-in-law, Lois Williams; sisters-in-law, Angela Graves (Waco,
TX), Daryla (Steven) Williams, (DeSoto, TX), and Lois Graves (Red Oak, TX); brothers-inlaw,
Sampson Graves (Dallas, TX), Thomas Graves (Waco, TX);2 great nieces, Monica and
Cynthia Beard (Houston, TX); a special brothet Larry (Arnessa) Bennett (Little Rock, AR);
3 devoted friends, Charles (Donna)White (Cedar Hill, TX), Isaiah Lang (Dallas, TX) and
Robert Cornelius (Crossett, AR) and a multitude of other family and friends.