Betty (Little) Beard

Betty (Little) Beard, 84, of Marion, and formerly of Blytheville, passed from this life Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis.

Born in the Promised Land community to Clifford "Doc" and Eugentia Ritch Little, she was a retired social worker with Mississippi County EOC. Betty was raised by her grandparents, Solomon and Nelipi Little and enjoyed working the New York Times crossword puzzles with them. She was very intellectual, had an excellent memory and often told her children about history and the story of meeting her husband and their courtship. Betty was valedictorian of her 1946 graduating class at Lexington, Tenn., high school. She was an avid reader, earned a college degree, at age 53, from Mississippi County Community College. She was an avid sports fan and was one of the only women baseball coaches in the surrounding area. Betty spent her life helping others through her work as a social worker. She loved animals, good country food, country music and was always worried about others, even up to the end of her life. Betty was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and loved her four boys and their families.

In addition to her parents and grandparents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Beard; sons, Kenny Beard, Ronnie Beard and Johnny Beard; and sisters, June Phillips and Merlene Enos.

She is survived by her son, Tony Beard and wife, Luella of Marion;

A brother, Edward "Dink" Little of Lexington, Tenn;

Twelve grandchildren; and

Fifteen great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. today (Tuesday) at Cobb Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Billy Holifield officiating. Burial will be private.

The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. until service time. Online register may be signed at cobbfuneralhome.com.