Betty Jean Beard, 91, died on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, at The Christian Village in Lincoln.
Funeral services were conducted Saturday, March 5, at St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Springfield. Interment followed at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield. Ruby Funeral Services and Chapel, Inc. in Springfield assisted the family.
Mrs. Beard was born Feb. 23, 1931, in Litchfield, to Charles Van and Miggie Price. She married Frank Beard in 1956, and he preceded her in death in 1995.
She graduated from Litchfield High School. She retired from the State of Illinois Department of Transportation in 2001.
Mrs. Beard was a lifelong member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, where she accepted Christ at an early age. She was a steward, pastor’s steward, church musician, musician for youth choir, Sunday school teacher, Bible study teacher, conference delegate, ordained evangelist and first lady to her husband at two A.M.E. churches. She also gave the message when the pastor was absent and spearheaded the Sunday bulletin for St. Paul A.M.E.
She was the 20th missionary inducted as a life member of the Illinois Conference Branch Women’s Missionary Society of the Fourth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Beard faithfully served for eight years as the first vice president of the missionary society under the leadership of President Dorothy Owens, Supervisor Theodora Mayo, Bishop J. Haskell Mayo, Supervisor Beverly Thomas and Bishop Robert Thomas, Jr.
She became an international traveler for the missionary society. She was a faithful servant doing God’s will, God’s work and God’s way.
Mrs. Beard is survived by her children, Liz (Mike Sr.) Barrow, Michael, and Tamara (Fred) Betts; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Shirley Ann; brothers, Carl, Larry, Jimmy and Dean; and sister, Doris.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to a local food bank.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.drrubydavisfuneralhome.com.
