Judy Beard

1954 - 2023

Beloved educator, wife, mother, grandmother, and sister; Judy Beard departed this life from Baptist Hospital - Union County on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 (age 68) after battling cancer and its complications. Born Judy Carolyn McKissick in Tupelo on January 12, 1954, to the late Carl McKissick and Frances Baker McKissick, she graduated from Saltillo High School in 1972. She continued her education at Itawamba Community College, where she received an AA in Counseling. She furthered her education with a BA in Business Education from Mississippi State University and a Master's in Counseling from the University of Mississippi. Judy spent over 35 years as a public - school teacher in Lee County and Tupelo Public Schools. She excelled in classroom skills and was adored by her students.

A private lady who loved her community and serving others, Judy was the consummate wife, mother, and grandmother. She was wholly devoted to her family and loved being "JuJu" to her four grandchildren. A longtime member of Harrisburg Baptist Church, Judy was supporter of Tupelo High School athletics as a sponsor for Cheerleading, Soccer Kick Girls, and Baseball Bat Girls where she was part of multiple state championships and developed friendships that lasted her lifetime. She was often seen with a camera in her hands documenting memories for her family and friends.

A service celebrating her life will be held at 2 PM Friday, January 13, 2023, at Harrisburg Baptist Church in Tupelo. Dr. Chuck Herring, a close family friend and pastor of First Baptist Church - Collierville, TN will be officiating. Burial will follow in Tupelo Memorial Park. Visitation will follow the service on Friday at Harrisburg. There will be no visitation at the funeral home.

Judy is survived by her husband, Travis Beard, to whom she married June 20, 1981; her sons, Tyler Beard of Nashville, TN and Peyton Beard (Claire) of Atlanta, GA; her grandchildren, Hudson (6), Ella Hastings (4), Jackson (2) and Lawson (8 months); brothers, Carl "Buddy" McKissick (Pat) of Smithville and Bobby McKissick of Saltillo and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents. The family wishes to express gratitude to longtime, special friends Ellen Caldwell and Lynn Replogle who stayed by her side throughout the final months of her life. They also want to thank Dr. C. Michael Jones, Nurse Practitioner Kim Hardin and Dr. Laura Washington, and the entire Baptist Hospital - Union County staff for their selfless contributions to her well-being.

The family asks that memorials be made to either the Patient Assistance Fund at Baptist Cancer Center, Baptist Memorial Hospital Union County, 200 Hwy 30 West, New Albany, MS 38652 or the Association for Excellence in Education, Tupelo Public Schools, CREATE AEE, P.O. Box 1053, Tupelo, MS 38802.

Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends. Please email all condolences to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net