Joan Underwood Beard

Joan Underwood Beard passed away on March 8th after an extended illness. She was born June 7,1931, the eldest daughter of Claud Lee and Marietta Underwood. The family lived in and around Sonoraville, GA during her youth. Joan had four siblings: Bill (Sara), Roy (Wilene), Ted (Jean) of Rome, GA and Rebecca (Ike) Sewell of Knoxville, TN.

Joan leaves behind the love of her life, Jacob Gordon Beard, with whom she had more than 66 years of marriage. They met while students at Berry College in Rome, GA. She considered their life together to be her greatest adventure, filled with possibilities as their family and life experiences grew with each passing year. Married life began in the military, while Gordon was training to become a pilot and, later, a pilot instructor. Gordon left the military and pursued a career in Educational Research and Testing at Florida State University. There, they developed lasting friendships among the faculty.

A proud accomplishment in Joan’s life was her own teaching career. In the early years, she taught Biology and coached both the girls and boys basketball teams in Marietta, GA. Later, Joan was hired by the Leon County School system, where she taught mathematics at Griffin Middle School for 16 years.

Through the years, they had three daughters, Joni (Doug) Hall, Jenny Jones, and Janet (Don) Hockman, whose lives she sought to nourish and influence through active involvement in the Girl Scouts, dance, piano, church and school. She enjoyed family outings to local beaches, rivers and lakes, and was always ready for an afternoon of hiking on an uncharted trail. It was not unusual for her to prepare a homemade picnic dinner to share at the end of the day, or better yet, cook over a campfire on the beach.

Joan embraced the addition of each grandchild. She devoted herself to their well-being and instilled the sense of adventure and curiosity about the world around them. It was also her goal to teach the importance of commitment and love to one another, no matter the differences we may have. The grandchildren blessed to have her in their lives are Victoria Hall, Susannah (David) White and Julia, Daniel (Cassidy) Jones and Johnnie Grace, Lizzie Jones, Kate (Justin) Stewart and Magnolia, Rebecca (Eric) Williams and Rowan, Laura (Mark) Berry and June.

Joan’s life was full. She did not allow it to be anything less. With her husband, Gordon, by her side she embraced it to the fullest; undaunted and with enthusiasm... which is what she wanted for all those she loved as well.