1935-2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Mrs. Areatha Beard, 89 years of age of Pine Bluff, Arkansas who left us peacefully on November 6, 2024, in the presence of God and his Holy angels in The Blossoms Nursing Home in White Hall, Arkansas.
She was born October 28, 1935, to the late Mr. Ernest Toomer, Sr. and the late Mrs. Earnestine McCraney-Toomer. She was proceeded in death by her loving aforementioned parents, her late husband of 42 years; Mr. Chester C. Beard, Sr., One Son: Calvin Lee Beard, One Grandson: Kenneth Earl Johnson Jr., One Granddaughter: Akikta Reyahn Knight, One Great-Grandson: Moses Beard, One Great-Granddaughter: Alzelica Beard, One Great-Great Grandson: Donovan Rae Reynolds, Two Brothers: Mr. Earnest Toomer, Jr., and Mr. Lee Levern Toomer, Sr., Four Sisters: Margorie Beard, Doris Pipens, Parthenia Batts and Bertha Halford. One Nephew: Lonnie Maddox, Jr. and One Niece: Susie Durden. Six Son-in-Laws: Albert Roy Knight, Jr., Clyde Holland, Willie Bryant, Christopher Wesley, Kinnie Howard and Bro. Marvin Jackson.
Mrs. Areatha Beard was a licensed beautician for many years working at Miro’s Hair Salon and also at Fashion’s Flair Beauty Shop. She worked long tireless hours towards helping to take care of her family with her husband as his devoted help meet. Although she worked daily on her feet to style many different textures of long and short hair; she never let that stop her from doing what she loved doing the most in her life; which was going into the house of the Lord to praise and worship God’s Holy name!
She loved serving the Lord and doing whatever her hands could find to do as a faithful and devoted servant of the Lord at Main Street Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Supt. Pastor Joe L. Stocker until her health declined. Although her physical strength failed her…. her faith and loyalty to God never wavered! She truly endured hardness as a good soldier, and she fought the good fight of faith until the very end! She will be tremendously missed by all who truly knew her and who honestly loved her! But mostly…She will be remembered for her love and kindness as well as her genuine cheerful giving spirit that she lavishly, willingly and faithfully gave whole heartedly to those near and far continuously!
Mrs. Areatha Beard is survived by her six loving daughters in whom she leaves to cherish her memories: Bernestine Knight of Arlington, Texas. Patricia (Eugene) Hunter of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Chestine (Ike) Spiller of Jacksonville, Arkansas. Arlene Beard, Lynnette Jackson and Annette Beard all of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Two wonderful sons: Chester C. Beard Jr., and Charles Beard both of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. One wonderful Brother: Elmore, Toomer (Jackie) of Dallas, Texas and Two loving Sisters: Pearlie Mae Sims of Pine Bluff, Arkansas and Carolyn Ann Toomer of Atlanta, Georgia. Eight Grandsons: Cedric Earl Beard, Sr., Albert Roy Knight III., Melvin Daniel, Jr, Marquis Daniel, Anthony Knight, Tyler Cowser, Jaylon Fonville, and Jevon Fonville. Five Granddaughters: Felita Nelson, Trina Spikes, Traci Holland, Patrice Hunter, and Keshia Beard. 20 Great-Grandchildren, Five Great-Great Grandchildren, One God-son: Wayne Hall and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The obituary submitted by the Family.
