Frances Beard

Frances Beard, age 98, left this earth, on March 31, 2022 to transition to her forever home with her Lord and Savior. This is a mission she has lived her whole life to achieve. She left as she physically lived, with a smile on her face, surrounded by her surviving children. Heaven welcomed her with the sky a gorgeous mixture of golden hues, after a day of rain and clouds.
 
Margaret Frances began her journey on February 13, 1924 with her parents, Will Franklin Jordan and Robbie Morgan Myers Jordan. She was an early Valentine’s present, and continued to be a present throughout her life to those who knew her. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, with her church home being Broadway Church of Christ.
 
Frances graduated from Augusta Tilghman in 1941. She received her Bachelor of Music from Murray State, Masters in Music Education from George Peabody College, which is now known as Vanderbilt, and obtained her 30+ from Murray State University. While in graduate school in Nashville, she was a member of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.
 
Frances’ professional career spanned several decades. She taught Band in Martin, TN, 1946-1948, then moved to Marion, KY to teach Band in the Crittenden County School System, 1948-1951. Marion happened to be the home of a young man named Floyd. The beauty that she was, caught the eye of the dapper Floyd, and they were married on September 12, 1952. Frances took a break from teaching to rear five rambunctious (and cute) children that she and Floyd had. She returned to teaching music and joined the McCracken County School System, 1967-1991, teaching at Concord Elementary, Forrestdale Elementary, Heath Elementary, and Hendron/Lone Oak Elementary schools, at one point, or another, during her reign as Music Teacher extraordinaire. Many people were influenced and she instilled a love for music and content of character that is still present in those who had her as a teacher, today.
 
Being the consummate professional she was, Frances served as District Elementary General Music Chairperson, KMEA Elementary General Music Chairperson, and the National Board of MENC Elementary General Music Chairperson, Southern Division. She also was a member of the Paducah Symphony Orchestra in its early years. Frances received awards for her dedication to teaching music. Several of these awards were Woman of Achievement, River City Business Professional Women’s Club 1984, KMEA Citation for Service Award 1987, KMEA Distinguished Service Award 1990. I might, also mention, she received several Mother of the Year awards from her children.
 
Frances was always trying to bring the gift of music to others. She did this in organizations in which she participated. She was a member of Paducah Community Concert Series, striving to bring the experiences of music to Paducah, served as Director of the Homemaker’s Choir for a time in the 60’s, was Director of the Broadway members, who got together and offered beautiful singing at weddings and funerals. A few of the women’s children were even dragged along to sing.
 
Frances continued her commitment to music performance by being a member of the Paducah Matinee Music Club and serving as Vice President for several years. She was a member of the Paducah Symphony Orchestra in its early years. Frances instilled the love of music into her children, all of whom perform, love, and share music just as she did. Three became music teachers, and two were/are excellent musicians, even while keeping a “Day Job”.
 
Frances and her husband, Floyd, were supporters of Western Kentucky Youth Camp. When faced with continuing to rent spaces from other camps or find their own space, Frances and Floyd offered up the beautiful land they had in Crittenden County, to be exact, Sheridan, Kentucky. They gave the land for the Church of Christ Youth Camp, that continues to mold and instill Christian values in the lives of young people to this day. It’s even been responsible for a marriage or two, or three, or …
 
Frances is survived by two daughters, Nancy Beard and Francie Beard, both of Memphis, Tennessee; two sons, Allan (Susan) Beard of Paducah and Dan (Emily) Beard of Olive Branch, Mississippi; three grandchildren: Justin (Shameca) Dukes, Will Beard, and Ben Beard; Four great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. Oh, and several fur grandbabies through the years. One, that she has been living with the last two years, the food stealing Chocolate Lab, Stella Rose (Scooter Brown).
 
She is preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Isaac Beard, one son, William “Willie” Floyd Beard, one brother, Will Myers Jordan, and her loving parents.
 
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. at Broadway Church of Christ with Dr. Dan Owens officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
 
Visitation will be Tuesday April 5, 2022 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at Broadway Church of Christ.
 
Arrangements are being handled by Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.
 
Expressions of Sympathy may take the form of donations to : Western Kentucky Youth Camp, 301 Youth Camp Road, Marion, KY 42064 which was one of the prides and joy of Frances Beard. The camp is another way to instill her positive, remarkable spirit in the lives that she touched. Her legacy lives on. Her spirit lives on. Her generosity lives on. She was a gift to those who knew her. May we forever embrace the remarkable person we have had in our lives.
 
During this difficult time, you may show your support by joining the "Hugs from Home" program, where your message will be attached to a balloon in the chapel to remind the family of your love and support. Please go to www.milnerandorr.com to send a hug.
 
You can send a message to the family and light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com.