Dr. Joseph Benjamin Beaird, Jr.

Joseph was the son of the late Joseph B Beaird and Lucille Clowdus Beaird of Uniontown, Alabama, born on November 20, 1926. He attended public schools in Alabama and received his BA degree from Birmingham Southern College in 1950. As a veteran of WWII, he served in the Navy from 1944-1946 in the southwest Pacific Theater.

Joseph received his medical degree from the Medical College of Alabama (now known as UAB) in 1955 and was a member of Nu Sigma Nu medical fraternity and Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He was also the first recipient of the William Boyd Pathology Award.

After receiving his medical degree, Joseph served his rotational internship at The University of Texas in Galveston, Texas, from 1955 to 1956. He completed his residency at Carraway Methodist Hospital from 1956 to 1960. He was certified by the Boards of The College of American Pathologists and the American Society of Clinical Pathology in 1960. Joseph began his medical practice in 1960 with Medical Laboratory Associates/ Cunningham Pathology Associates. During his 35 years of medical practice, he was on the medical staff of numerous hospitals in the area and the consulting pathologist at many hospitals in north and central Alabama. Joseph was the Clinical Associate Professor of Pathology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a member of the American Medical Association, Jefferson County Medical Society, State of Alabama Medical Association, Alabama Association of Pathologists, the College of American Pathologists, American Society of Clinical Pathologists and the Birmingham Surgical Society. He was a member of Canterbury United Methodist Church for over 50 years.

Although his professional accomplishments were many, his greatest joy was being with family, especially at their vacation home in Destin, Florida. Joe was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing trips with many close friends. The most humorous situations were always punctuated by one of his dry-humored quips. He will always be remembered as a gracious southern gentleman with an infectious smile, warm heart, and loving spirit.

Joseph was preceded in death by his loving wife of 45 years, Betty Boggs Beaird, and his cherished daughter Sarah Rebecca Beaird. He will be greatly missed by his beloved children, Jennifer Lea Beaird of Big Canoe, Georgia, Nancy Beaird Bromberg (Ricky), his grandson, Wil Bromberg (Katie) and great-granddaughter, Lella Elizabeth Bromberg, all of Birmingham.

The Beaird family will be forever grateful for the loving care provided by Susana Garrido, Virginia Escalante, Vanesa Frias, Leticia Ojeda, Angelica Ramos and Paulina Martinez.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, December 15, at Canterbury United Methodist Church. A visitation will precede the service at 10:00 am in the church parlor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to Canterbury United Methodist Church, 350 Overbook Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35213 or to a charity of your choice. Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (205-879-3401) in Homewood.