Graveside services for Juanita Beard, 87, of Athens are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, November 7, 2014 at Willow Springs Cemetery.
Ms. Beard passed away on November 4, 2014 in Terrell, Texas.
Juanita Pearl Briggs Beard, one of eight children, was born August 4, 1927 in Desoto, Texas the daughter of D.M. and Nora Rice Briggs. While working at the Kress Department Store in Waxahachie she met James Edward Beard and they married in August 17, 1946. They lived in Athens, Texas and had three children, Joyce, Judy and Jamie; the five J’s. Juanita worked at the Campbell Chair Factory for many years caning chair bottoms. James and Juanita bought a grocery store and gas station next to the chair factory and ran it for several years in the 60’s. Gas was about 20 cents a gallon and milk was about 49 cents a gallon. Later the sold the station and Juanita went to work at the café in the Auction Barn on Hwy 31 west. James and Juanita raised dogs, chickens, cattle, horses, pigs, sheep and goats as well as boarding dogs for Athens families. Upon returning from a dog show in the Hill Country, they decided to move to Richland Springs where they raised and showed Border Collies. After living there for several years they moved back to Athens. Following James’ death Juanita continued to live in Athens where her favorite place to eat was Whataburger. After breast cancer surgery, she had physical therapy at Windsor and made the decision to move to Terrell. She lived in the apartments next to Windsor. She would go to Windsor and bake her famous earthquake cake for the employees and residents. When she could no longer maintain her independence she moved into Windsor.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Beard, her parents, her brothers and sisters, granddaughter, Courtney Renee Kimery and nephew Allen Beard.
She is survived by her three children, Jamie Beard and wife Virginia of Athens, Judy Matthews and husband Keith of Dallas, Joyce Jones and husband Marc of Tyler; grandson James Michael Beard and wife Jennifer of Athens; great grandson Jacob Cole Beard; brother in law Raymond Beard of Athens and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will visit with friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, November 6, 2014 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.
In lieu of flowers the family would like donations made in Ms. Beard’s honor to: The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation; P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265
Arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Family of Athens, Texas.
You may write condolences or light a memorial candle at: www.hannigansmith.com