Evelyn Joy Beard
Evelyn Joy Beard, 85, passed away October 23, 2010, at Ozark Methodist Manor in Marionville, Missouri following a long illness.
She was born March 16, 1925 in Fresno, California to Elsie Doberstein Penner and Ralph Penner, and attended Fresno schools. She married Billy Joe Beard November 22, 1941 in Reno, Nevada.
Mrs. Beard and her husband spent much of their married life in Fresno, where they raised two daughters, Beverly and Diana. After many years operating their business, General Welding and Machine Works in San Angelo, Texas, and Fresno, California, they retired to Aurora in 1992 to be near family. She and her husband celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary there prior to Mr. Beard’s passing in 2003.
Besides working with her husband as manager and bookkeeper, Mrs. Beard was an accomplished homemaker who excelled at cooking, sewing and gardening. Her hobbies included art and music.
She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Diana “d” and David Seifried of Aurora; Beverly and David Baldwin of Friendswood, Texas; and grandchildren, Eric and Tammy Seifried of Aurora; Michael Boase of Dallas, Texas; Tracey and Chris St. James of Houston, Texas; Gary and Denise Seifried of Katy, Texas; and Tonya Seifried of Oklahoma City. Her other granddaughter, Tammie Seifried Bowen pre-deceased her. Mrs. Beard also is survived by eight great-grandchildren, Jeff Seifried of Springfield; Grant, Lauren and Evan Seifried of Aurora; Justin Seifried and Harley Matthews of Oklahoma City; Jeremy and Christen Bowen of Ponca City, Oklahoma; a cousin Gwen Cox of Grants Pass, Oregon, and several nieces and nephews.
Services for Mrs. Beard will be held Friday, October 29, 2010 at 3 p.m. at Greenlawn South Chapel in Springfield. Her ashes will be interred alongside her late husband’s at the Missouri Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery.
The family wishes to express appreciation to the devoted staff of the Special Care Unit at Ozark Methodist Manor for their loving and excellent care given to Mrs. Beard during her illness.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John’s Hospice, Springfield; to the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, or to a charity of one’s choice.