VELMA EILEEN BEARD

VELMA EILEEN BEARD Beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Velma Eileen Beard, 81, of Pinon Hills and Hesperia, California, unexpectedly passed away on Thursday, July 7, 2011. Eileen was born January 4 1930 in Fairmont, West Virginia. She grew up in Avalon, PA and Phoenix, AZ where she graduated from high school in 1947. Eileen married Herbert Beard in 1950, and they were married for almost fifty years until Herb's death in September 2000. The family moved to Hesperia in 1955, where Eileen lived until moving to Pinon Hills in 2011. Eileen worked at Hesperia Jr. High School and later at Victor Valley Community College, while pursuing a college degree. She returned to the Hesperia School District as a teacher, after graduating from the University of Redlands with a bachelor's degree in 1979 and completing additional graduate coursework through Point Loma University in San Diego for her teaching credential. She retired from the Hesperia School District in 1992. Eileen and Herb traveled extensively following her retirement, including a six-month camping tour of almost every country and castle in Western Europe, where they enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life, including some who became life-long friends. In addition to traveling, Eileen enjoyed square dancing, reading, genealogy, volunteering and encouraging her children and later grandchildren in their education and vocational pursuits. She was a source of great practical wisdom, love and compassion who will be deeply missed by her family, the many students who benefited from her assistance, and all who were privileged to meet and know her. Eileen is survived by her six children: Gloria Coutts and husband Bob of Rocklin, CA; Vickie Ragsdale and husband Terry of Ada, OK; Beverly Pieretti and husband Joe of Tracy, CA; Barbara Davisson of Seattle, WA; Steve Beard and wife LaDonna of Toledo, OR; Gary Beard and wife Tammy of Pinon Hills, and by stepson, Ron Beard and wife Anna Beth of Leavenworth, KS, thirteen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and two nephews, Rusty Holman of Gibsonia, PA and James McCartney and wife Meg of Morgantown, WV. She was predeceased by her parents and step-father Carl, her sisters Pat and June, and her beloved husband. A private family memorial service was held on July 12. A public memorial is being planned for Spring 2012 to celebrate both Herb's and Eileen's lives. Any memorial donations may be contributed in appreciation to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Unit (SBSAR) at P.O. Box 292000, Phelan, CA 92329.