Eloise Bodiford Beard, age 97, of Birmingham, AL, passed away on Sunday, April 21st. Visitation will be on Friday, April 26th, from 1:30 to 2 PM at Elmwood Funeral Home, followed by a graveside service. Rev. Alex Oberneder will officiate.
She was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on April 8, 1927, to William Thomas and Genevieve Motherwell Bodiford. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Miller O. Beard. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, John Thomas and George Marvin Bodiford, and her sisters, Laura Bodiford Bocek and Margaret Bodiford. She was a lifelong resident of Birmingham, and she and her family were longtime members of the Methodist Church, attending Norwood, Central Park, St. John’s, and Wilson Chapel churches.
She is survived by her children, Cindy Knight (Chuck) of Hattiesburg, MS, and her son, John Beard (Nancy) of Pelham, AL. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Adam Knight (Amy), Lisa Knight Lowery (Patrick), Lori Knight Crocker (James), Grant Beard and Jackson Beard, seven great grandchildren, Cameron, Natalie and Abigail Knight, Harper and Palmer Lowery, and Andrew and Allison Crocker and step-granddaughter, Anna Bisch (Travis) and son, Barrett.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to The Jimmie Hale Mission of Birmingham.
