Grace Villa Thompson Beard

Born August 5, 1933 in Ville Platte, Louisiana. Fully Rely On God - this was the foundation on which Grace built her life. On November 19, 2008, at CHRISTUS Hospital - St. Mary, Port Arthur, Texas, Grace peacefully concluded her courageous five-year battle with cancer. The world is better for her grace. Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Ulysse S. and Hester Fontenot Thompson; her brother, Yves Thompson; her sister, Lallie Mae Thompson Duos; and her nephew, Mike Duos. Grace is succeeded in life by her husband of 54 years, Paul Beard, their thirteen children, and their spouses, David Beard & Jenny Hughes, Sue & Karl Hanner, Mark & Lori Beard, Chris Beard & Maureen Hammond, Paula & Steve Housinger, Cherie & Mike Heard, Leslie & Eric Sapp, Anita & Jody Barsalou, Joseph & Tamra Beard, George Beard, Scott & JoAnne Beard, Steven & Michelle Beard, & Kevin Beard. Grace's pride and joy were her 32 grandchildren: Courtney Bird & her husband Matthew, Justin Beard, Ashley Beard, Matthew Koenig, Lucas Housinger & his fiancée, Eryn Pendley, Lindsey Beard & her fiancé, Devin Berwick, Erin Beard, Jordan Sapp, Christopher Beard, Laura Koenig, Aimeé Housinger, Amanda Beard, Alex Beard, Andrew Sapp, Blair Hanner, Jonathan Beard, Hannah Heard, Kelsie Beard, Brianna Barsalou, Lane Heard, Meagan Beard, Joseph Barsalou, Clayton Beard, Miranda Beard, Michael Beard, Reece Beard, Gracie Beard, Emma Heard, Logan Beard, Mason Beard, Alyssa Beard, and JoLee Beard, as well as her great- grandchild, Alexis Hoeller. Grace was brought to Port Arthur in June of 1953 by her sponsor, Sister Joan of Arc, where she entered the St. Mary School of Nursing. Although Grace lived her adult life in Port Arthur, Texas, her love for Louisiana always remained close to her heart. She leaves behind the following nieces and nephews, Vanna, Barbara, Kathleen, Bobby, Patsy, Billy, and Kent. Grace and Paul were married at St. Mary Catholic Church on July 25, 1954. Shortly thereafter, they followed Father Martin Enderle to St. Joseph Catholic Church, where they remain parishioners to this day. Grace continued her nursing career at St. Mary Hospital until 1958. Once told she was expecting her fourth child, Grace began her successful career as a full-time, stay-at-home wife and mom. To say the least, her career flourished. When Grace wasn't busy raising her children, she enjoyed dabbling in the family business, Sabine Universal Products. Other interests included gardening, overfeeding the neighborhood birds and squirrels, and spoiling Festus and Mischief, her miniature donkeys. However, the love and compassion extended to the members of her family, church, friends, and strangers alike is the defining aspect of her character and personality that will forever be cherished in the memories of all those having the privilege of sharing in her wonderful life. A visitation for family and friends will begin at 4:00 p.m., Friday, November 21, 2008 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 4600 Procter Street, Port Arthur, Texas with a Vigil Service conducted at 6:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 22, 2008 at St. Joseph with Reverend Stephen McCrate officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Levingston Funeral Home in Groves. Pallbearers will be Justin Beard, Matthew Koenig, Lucas Housinger, Jordan Sapp, Alex Beard, and Jonathan Beard. A reception will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Hall, 3648 Lucian Adams Drive, Port Arthur, Texas following the graveside service. For their compassionate care, the family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the following: Dr. Paul Holoye and the staff of Oncology Consultants in Houston, Texas; Dr. Gene Jones; Brandee and CHRISTUS Hospital - St. Mary 2 South staff; and our dear friend, Aimeé Miller,whose enduring loving support of Grace, Paul and family helped us along this journey. We want to extend our sincerest gratitude to all nieces, nephews, sisters- and brothers-in-law, and lifelong family friends whose love and relationships were cherished by Grace. Friends wishing may send memorial contributions to the following: St. Joseph Catholic Church, 4600 Procter Street, Port Arthur, TX 77642 or The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Children's Cancer Hospital, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030 in memory of Grace Beard.