Gerald Wayne Beard,  51, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at  Panola Medical Center in Batesville.

A memorial service for Gerald will be held at 2 p.m on Saturday, Nov. 18,  at the New Hope Church of God in Batesville,  with Rev. Raymond Aven officiating. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at noon.

Gerald was born on Feb.  5, 1972, to the late Grady Gerald Beard, Sr. and Norma Jean Patton Beard in Marks,. He worked for NMRC for 22 years serving as the assistant director with over 23 counties. Gerald then worked for Northwest Community College as the ADA Coordinator for 5 years. He loved all sports, especially golf and football. Gerald also enjoyed going fishing, and traveling. Gerald liked to stay busy and was always tinkering on something, just a hands-on person with everything he did.

The family he leaves behind includes his wife, Beth Aldridge Beard of Pope; his son, Casey Beard of Tampa, FL, and his daughter, Kylie Beard of Batesville,; and one brother, Grady Gerald Beard, Jr. of North Port, FL.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by one sister, Bobbie Jean Dover; and two brothers, Jerry Dover and Tommy King.