Peggy S. Beard

Peggy S. Beard (Originally Margarita Cecilia Squires), the daughter of a British Father and a Colombian Mother (Stanley and Henrietta Squires), the wife of a navy pilot from Texas (Vonnie Beard), the mother of 3 children (Barry, Brian & Kimberley Beard), the grandmother of 1 grandson (Samuel Beard) and the Great-Grandmother to 1 Great Grandson (Von Carter Beard), passed away July 11, 2022 of natural causes in her home with loved ones by her side.

Born on December 3rd, 1924 in Barranquilla, Colombia, Peggy was sent to live with her Grandparents in Cambridge England to attend school, not surprisingly the Nuns remembered her upon her return nearly 30 years later. When the War broke out she sailed alone, back to South America where she continued her education, part of which was to relearn Spanish. She met her Husband, Vonnie Beard a Naval Aviator, during World War II and had an unlikely and incredible courtship that led to marriage 1945. A movie could easily be made of their love story and resulting 65+ years of marriage.

She would endear you with her smile, disarm you with her humor and laughter - next thing you knew, she was your best friend and confidant. She would do this in 3 languages (Spanish, British English and American English). Her humor never left her… Even in her last days she said "If you can't laugh about life, you'll never be happy."

Peggy had a countless number of talents and gave her time and service to so many. She was a masterful hostess of candlelight suppers, volunteer for the suicide hotline, golf instructor for the Vietnam Vets, translator for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, accomplished artist, Christian Camp Counselor, teacher of women's bible class, and an Elder’s wife with the Church of Christ for 40+ years.

Above all she lived her life for Jesus and would befriend the widest array of people. From the Vice President of the United States to the Spanish speaking cashier at the grocery store, they all felt as though she was the best part of their day. She forged her own path of what it means to be a Christian woman and succeeded beyond measure.

Celebration of Life will be on August 5th, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Settegast-Kopf Co @ Sugar Creek in Sugar Land.

For those unable to attend, there will be a livestream of her Celebration. The link can be accessed below under Service Information or at this link : https://vimeo.com/event/2299675/9ef602c705

In Lieu of Flowers – From Peggy: “Flowers will die, but camp memories last a lifetime. If you would like to do something to honor Peggy, please consider donating to her dearest cause, Florida College Dry Creek Camp. There is a grant being set up in her honor that will go towards funding kids who want to go to camp, but need financial support.

Online donations can be sent via Zelle using the email address, [email protected] and noting “Peggy Beard” in the memo

Checks can be made to:

FC Dry Creek

Memo Field: Peggy Beard

Mail to:

Florida College Camp

PO Box 333

Alief, TX 77471

All donations are tax deductible and greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your consideration.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.settegastkopf.com for the Beard family.

~ Biography of Peggy S. Beard ~

Peggy Beard Peggy (Squires) was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, the daughter of a Colombian mother and an English father who was stationed there with the British Railroad and Navigation Company. At age 6, she was sent to a convent boarding school in England, and at age 13 she escaped back to Colombia on the last ship out of the country before World War II broke out. After that, she was educated at the local American school and by governesses.

Peggy met the love of her life, Navy Lieutenant Vonnie Beard from Broaddus, Texas, through the USO. Peggy’s mother volunteered there at the El Prado Hotel where the family lived. Vonnie was introduced to them as “Tex Beard, the biggest wolf in the squadron”. As a Naval Aviator he was tasked with flying over the Caribbean Sea looking for German U-Boats. Peggy was 18 at the time, and soon moved to New York City with her family. She mourned when Vonnie was reported killed, but six weeks later he called, then came to New York to visit. He ended up stationed in New Jersey, where he proposed. Peggy was 19 and had to travel to Venezuela to get her father’s permission to marry. She stayed there until the war ended in 1945, when Vonnie and Peggy finally got hitched. They moved among Austin, Broaddus, and College Station during that period. Vonnie taught agriculture for a time, then earned an Economics degree from Texas A&M (Peggy was baptized while they were there). They finally moved to Houston, where their children Barry and Kimberley were born. Peggy has one grandchild, Samuel Carter Beard and one Great Grandson, Von Carter Beard.

The Beards worshipped with the Bellaire Church of Christ when the congregation was in its infancy, and were instrumental in helping to establish the Alief church, now Alston Road. Vonnie was an elder at one time or another at both churches. Vonnie passed away in 2010 after 65 years of marriage. Peggy credits Vonnie’s patience and gentleness over the first two years of their union for her conversion from Catholicism. She is carrying on their tradition of hospitality by hosting church gatherings in her home and greeting visitors. She also attends and sometimes teaches the WALC class, and helps the church with Spanish translation.

Their son Barry became an Infantry Officer and trained as a helicopter pilot, going to Vietnam upon graduation from flight school– a worrying situation for any parent. Kimberley, who was the love of their life, developed severe mental illness. This condition created unbearable pain for Kimberley, and after struggling for years, she took her own life. These events were life changing for Peggy and she gained wisdom and strength by volunteering with the Crisis Hotline, mental health community efforts, and the VA, among others. Peggy will be the first to tell you GOD found a way for her to use her experiences to help those whom are afflicted with the same pain and those are affected by it.

Besides wrestling with her back garden, Peggy’s hobbies and interests include decorating, travel, reading mysteries, watching Hallmark movies, Animal shows, BBC/Masterpiece Theater, and painting with acrylics.

Favorite hymns: “Alleluiah” and “Have Thine Own Way, Lord”

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Peggy (Squires) nació en Barranquilla, Colombia, hija de un Madre colombiana y un padre inglés que estaba estacionado allí con el compañía británica de ferrocarriles y navegación. A los 6 años, fue enviada a un el internado del convento en Inglaterra, y a los 13 años escapó a Colombia en el último barco fuera del país antes de que estallara la Segunda Guerra Mundial.

Después de eso, ella fue educada en la escuela estadounidense local y por institutrices Peggy conoció al amor de su vida, el piloto de la Marina, el teniente Vonnie Beard de Broaddus, Texas, a través de la USO. La madre de Peggy fue voluntaria allí en el Hotel El Prado donde vivía la familia. Vonnie fue presentado a ellos como "Tex Beard, el lobo más grande del escuadrón", y estuvo allí en 1942 Buscando submarinos en la costa. Peggy tenía 16 años en ese momento, y pronto se mudó a Nueva York con su familia. Se lamentó cuando Vonnie estaba según los informes, murió, pero seis semanas después llamó, luego vino a Nueva York para visitarlo. Terminó estacionado en Nueva Jersey, donde propuso. Peggy tenía 17 años y tuvo que viajar a Venezuela para obtener el permiso de su padre para casarse. Ella permaneció allí hasta que la guerra terminó en 1945, cuando Vonnie y Peggy finalmente consiguieron enganchado Se mudaron entre Austin, Broaddus y College Station durante ese periodo. Vonnie enseñó agricultura por un tiempo, luego ganó una carrera política. Licenciatura en ciencias de Texas A&M (Peggy fue bautizada mientras estaban ahí). Finalmente se mudaron a Houston, donde sus hijos Barry y Kimberley nacieron. Peggy ahora tiene un nieto.

Las Barbas adoraron con la Iglesia de Cristo Bellaire cuando el la congregación estaba en su infancia, y fue fundamental para ayudar a establecer la iglesia Alief, ahora Alston Road. Vonnie fue un anciano a la vez u otro en ambas iglesias. Vonnie falleció en 2010 después de 65 años de matrimonio. Peggy acredita la paciencia y la amabilidad de Vonnie durante los dos primeros años de unión por su conversión del catolicismo. Ella esta continuando su tradición de hospitalidad organizando reuniones de la iglesia en su casa y saludando a los visitantes. Ella también asiste y algunas veces enseña la clase de WALC, y ayuda a la iglesia con la traducción al español.

Peggy y Vonnie enfrentaron su parte de dificultad y angustia. Su hijo Barry se alistó como helicóptero del Ejército en Vietnam, una situación preocupante para cualquier padre Entonces su hija Kimberley fue diagnosticada con esquizofrenia en su adolescencia, y se suicidó a los 22 años. Peggy cree que Dios la ayudó a prepararse para lidiar con las crisis que ha soportado porque ella adquirió sabiduría al ser voluntario con la línea directa de crisis, salud mental esfuerzos de la comunidad, y el VA, entre otros. Ella ahora intenta usarla experiencias para ayudar a quienes sufren una pérdida similar.

Además de luchar con su jardín trasero, los pasatiempos e intereses de Peggy incluyen viajes, leer misterios, ver películas de Hallmark y BBC / Masterpiece Theatre, y pintura con acrílicos.

Himnos favoritos: “Alleluiah” Y “Yo soy el barro”