A Celebration of the life of Bobby Beard, 86, of Athens will be held Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 3:30 p.m. at the First Christian Church of Athens.
Mr. Beard passed away May 25, 2018 in Athens, Texas.
Bobby Joe Beard was born April 10, 1932 in Porter Springs, Texas the son of John Henry Beard and Willie Hazel Cook Beard. He graduated from Crockett High School in Crockett, Texas and graduated from Stephen F. Austin University with his bachelor’s as well as his master’s degree. He met the love of his life, Glenda Nell Perry, through his sister and they later married on May 9, 1954. Bobby served in the Army stateside for two years and then pursued his career in education. Early in his career he coached in Jacksonville, Texas with Coach Bum Phillips and later moved back to Nacogdoches where he soon became Nacogdoches High School principal where he guided the school through the integration process. He was also principal of Bryan High School in Bryan, Texas, Temple High School in Temple, Texas and ended his career in Early, Texas after serving as superintendent for 13 years. Bobby was known across the state as a “school man” who was highly respected in the school business for being able to get schools that were experiencing difficulty back on the right path. Many staff and students would say, “Mr. Beard may not agree with you, but he will always listen to you and respect you.” He was an outstanding leader in the school business and anyone that ever met him knows that he was a kind and considerate gentleman.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson, Chris Moore.
Survivors include his loving wife of 64years Glenda Beard of Athens; three children, Cay Moore and husband Joe, Lisa Collins and husband Michael, Barry Beard and wife Leslie; one sister Sue Neal and husband Billy; five grandchildren, Lani and Matt Caffey, Tyler and Jackie Lowe, Zachary and Sadona Moore, Katelynn Beard, Dawson Beard and five great-grandchildren, Will and Magnolia Caffey, Harrison and James Lowe, Ophelia Sanchez.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your favorite charity or house of worship in Bobby’s name.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Family.
You may light a memorial candle or write condolences to the family at www.hannigansmith.com.