Donald G. Beard, Sr., 85, of Fayetteville, passed away at home on Thursday, February 15, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.
Donald was born August, 23, 1938, the sixth of seven children to William and Lossie Beard of the Beaver Dam community. He was the last surviving Beard sibling. He married Jeanette Norris on April 24, 1960, and they had one son, Don, Jr.
They lived in Sophia, NC from 1963 to 1975, and Donald worked in construction with his brother, Bill Beard before returning to the grocery business with A&P Food Stores. He was a US Army veteran serving six years before being Honorably Discharged in August, 1967. In 1975, in support of a promotion with A&P Food Stores, they relocated to Fayetteville, NC where he lived until his passing.
In 2015, his wife, Jeanette, passed away. In 2017, Patricia “Patsy” McClanahan became his partner and they had seven good years together.
He was an extraordinary man who lived an extraordinary life, living to see his family to the 4th generation (all four represented in the same residential neighborhood). He loved and was faithful to his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved his only son and loved his daughter-in-law, Karen, like the daughter he never had.
He loved being around people, and everyone who met him was better off for it. He loved to travel, especially cruising, and in the last few years, spending time at the family retreat at Holden Beach, NC.
He is survived by his partner, Patsy; his son, Don, Jr., and daughter-in-law, Karen; Two grandchildren, Alex and wife, Kate, and Abby and husband, Mike; and three great grandchildren, Aiden, Sadie, and Adlynn.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 from 10:30 am to 11:45 am at Village Baptist Church followed by funeral service will follow at 12 noon. A private burial will take place at Lafayette Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memoriam to Village Baptist Church or Village Christian Academy.
Funeral services provided by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 29301
Online condolences may be made to www.jerniganwarren.com.
