Jann Cochran Beard

Jann Elizabeth Cochran Beard passed away on July 19th, in Signal Mountain, Tennessee, surrounded by three generations of her loving family. The whole family loved her dearly and will always remember the joy, life lessons and adventures she shared with them.

Jann was born on February, 25th 1947 to Robert Cochran and Betty Buckley Cochran in Ashland, Kentucky, the first of three children. She grew up primarily in Lexington, KY before moving with her family to Memphis and graduating from Germantown High School in 1965. She subsequently attended Lambuth University where she met her husband of 53 years, Frank Beard. Together they graduated from Lambuth, and married in 1969.

Jann became a mother to daughter Holly in 1970 and in 1974 to another daughter Kacey. Through engagement with their schools, activities and parenting she was always a vital part of her children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Jann also treasured and was committed to longtime friendships with people all over the country, and certainly including the Memphis based “Sewing Group”, though it is rumored that they never actually sewed.

Jann is survived by her loving husband Frank, and their two children Holly Evans and Kacey Smith. “Yaya” is also survived by her five grandchildren that meant everything in the world to her: Kate and Libby Evans, Sara Reeves Stuckey and Frank and Holland Smith; and by nephew Jackson Cochran, nieces Kori and Lindsey Cochran, cousins Brian and Lindsey Church; and by her two adoring brothers Randy (Diane), and Steve (Sharon) Cochran.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 22nd at 2:00pm at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta. Following the service there will be a reception for close friends and family at Capital City Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations to the Osteosarcoma Institute, https://osinst.org/donate/

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.

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