Zeffie Beard

On a beautiful spring afternoon, March 15, 2025, “Honey” Beard smiled as she stepped through the gates of Heaven and was greeted by her Lord and Savior, her husband of 69 years, Jack, and so many other loved ones and friends who had gone before her. At 101 years of age, she had lived a long and fulfilled life, blessed by a much longer time here with those she loved than most, but she was tired and ready to go home.

Zeffie “Honey” Elenor Worsham was born June 17, 1923, in Leagueville, Texas, and was one of three children born to Grady and Ethel Worsham. She attended Brownsboro High School and, after graduating, the family moved to Dallas during the war and she found work in a meat market. After the war, they moved back to Brownsboro. On July 4, 1945, Zeffie and her sister Jozelle were driving through Athens, Texas, and recognized a handsome soldier standing on a street corner. They offered him a ride home and the rest is history. They were married on July 29 that year in Hillsboro, Texas, by Jack’s daddy, M. M. Beard, who just happened to be a pastor.

Jack and Zeffie had two children, Betty and James, and, except for the occasional job outside the home, Zeffie was a dedicated homemaker, wife and mother. She was always very involved with her church, the kids school activities and caring for family members and anyone in need. She was always ready to offer a helping hand. She loved to cook and played a mean hand of “42.”

She is survived by her son James Beard and wife, Cindy of Whitehouse, her daughter, Betty Hubbard and husband, David of Troup, 5 grandchildren, Tennille Gentry and husband, Chad, of Flint, Cody Beard and wife, Robyn, of Tyler, James Hubbard of Troup, Austin Hubbard and wife, Robin, of Chandler and Lauri Dillman Eyley and husband, Travis, of Whitehouse. She is also survived by 10 great grandchildren, Grant, Scarlett, Garrett and Selah Gentry, of Flint, Liam Rice, Kyren and Daylan Beard of Tyler, Zeffie (Baby Z) Hubbard of Chandler, Nathan Eyley of Whitehouse and Elisabeth Malcolm of Troup along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, and services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 21, both at Lloyd James Funeral Home in Tyler. A private burial will be in the Field of Honor at Tyler Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers are Ed Schmidt, Scott Spillyards, Bill Warren, Glenn Duncan, Ernest Bennett and Wayne McDonald. Honorary pallbearers are Robert Weesner, Daniel Dupree, Dr. Aaron Duval and Dr. Dale Bradley.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Choice Hospice of Tyler.