Lenore Anna Beard

March 17, 2022 in Fort Smith AR. She was born December 25, 1923 in Wardville, OK, to Isabell Janette (Spann) Robertson and Lance Truman Robertson.

Lenore spent her youth in Pittsburg county, Oklahoma, attending 6 different schools because her father took numerous positions as a principal and Superintendent of schools in different locations trying to make a better living to support a family of 8.

After her high school graduation from Limestone Gap High School in 1941, her father took her to Muskogee, OK to attend Draughn’s Business College. After completion, she got a job at Larson Implement, then Muskogee Iron Works. She was proud to support the war effort.

She met her husband, Laurence C. (Larry) Beard at First Baptist Church in Muskogee while he was training at Camp Gruber. When she left Muskogee to go to Richmond, Virginia to help her Sister Elsie move, he still pursued her. After she received a ring in the mail, he took leave and they were married June 5, 1943 at First Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia.

After a stay in San Antonio, Texas, she returned to Muskogee to work when Larry was sent overseas with the 88th artillery division. When Larry was discharged in 1945, she picked him up at Fort Chaffee and they began their life together.

Larry and Lenore went to Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater, OK where he completed his degree

and Lenore took classes in Home Economics. She put her education on hold when Laura, their first of three daughters was born.

They decided to make Muskogee their home and started Beard Refrigeration and Air Conditioning business. Lenore was the office manager and Larry made the service calls. They had two more daughters, Susan and Betty. After 25 years in the business, Larry was appointed U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma and Lenore went back to school and completed her degree in Elementary Education from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK. She then took more classes to become a certified elementary librarian.

Lenore worked in the Muskogee Public School system as a librarian at Grant Foreman and Creek elementary schools. She loved her job and all the friends she made. She worked 17 years until her retirement in 1986.

She was an active member of First Baptist church in Muskogee where she taught Primary Sunday School for many years. She also loved being a member of the New Century Book club in Muskogee. After Larry’s retirement and he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she started a support group. She loved and cared for him for 17 years until his death in 2007.

In 2008, Lenore moved next door to her daughter, Betty, in Fort Smith, AR. She became involved in the Community Services Clearinghouse, First Presbyterian Church, the Senior Center, and the U.S. Marshal’s Museum.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Elsie McPherson and Leona Evans, and her brothers, L.T. Robertson and Keith Robertson.

She is survived by her sister Reba Carter of DeSoto, Texas, her daughters, Laura (Chris) Sales of Littleton, CO, Susan Turre of Fort Smith, Betty (Greg) Vann of Fort Smith; Grandchildren, Valerie Sales Bateman ( Garron), Elizabeth Sales French ( Jon), Jeffery Sales, Sarah Sales Symons ( Scott), Christian Pelleschi (Chris), Kyla Vann Rechlin (Ken), Lance Vann, and Gregory Vann ( Ashley); great grandchildren, Kylee Bateman, Megan Bateman Meyers ( Joel), Logan Bateman, Holly Bateman, Tyler Symons, Katherine Symons, Owen Symons, Evelyn Lenore Symons, Isabelle Vann, Lillian Rechlin, John Rechlin, and many loved nieces, nephews and cousins.

We want to thank Dr. Jon Harper for taking such good care of Mother, Dr. Ha and his whole staff at wound care for all the love and care they showed her, the nurses and therapists from Amedisys home health who loved her and to all of our caregivers from Home Instead who made such a difference in her life.

Family will greet friends from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. Sunday, March 27, 2022 at the funeral home, Funeral Service will be 10:00 A.M. Monday, March 28, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church, where family will greet friends immediately after the service. Committal service will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, OK.

Memorial Contributions can be made in her memory to The U.S. Marshal’s Museum, 789 Riverfront Dr., Fort Smith, AR 72901 or First Presbyterian music ministry, 116 N 12th St, Fort Smith, AR 72901