Verna Beard

Verna Beard

Verna Beard, 91, passed from this life, from Parkinson's Disease and complications of Covid 19.

The daughter of the late Robert J. Small and Lillie V. Potter, Mrs. Beard was also preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Richard C. Beard.

She is survived by son, Stanley G. Beard of Solana Beach, CA, and daughter, Marjorie A. Schlosser of Oceanside, CA. In addition, Mrs. Beard was the proud "Meemaw" to her five grandchildren: Landon W. Beard and Jonathan S. Beard, both of Los Angeles, CA; Harrison P. Schlosser, of Park City, UT; Jillian L. Beard, of Orlando, FL; and Hayden C. Schlosser, of Sunnyvale, CA.

A life-long resident of Mont Alto, Verna had the unique privilege of living for 90 years in the same home in which she was born, sharing her last few years as a resident of Michaux Manor, Fayetteville, PA.

A member of Mont Alto United Methodist Church, Verna spent decades in the choir, and teaching elementary Sunday School, telling her young students of her beloved Jesus. For a few years she also served a similar purpose as a teacher for Child Evangelism Fellowship.

A graduate of Quincy High School, Class of 1947, she proudly claimed her position as valedictorian of the class. Across the many years since their graduation, Verna helped to arrange many of the class reunions for the remaining few of the class.

While claiming her greatest accomplishment to be a wonderful homemaker for her family, Mrs. Beard later spent many years on the housekeeping staff of Penn State University, Mont Alto Campus. She retired from there in 1989.

Verna was a member of the Mont Alto Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, and an election volunteer who would always chuckle at how each presidential ballot always included a vote for Mickey Mouse. Also humorous to her was serving Sr. Meals to elders half her age.

Her pie-making skills were always a serious subject, however; often Verna's pies never made it to the auction table without being spoken for, or a special event would include a request from someone in town for one of her pies. Many a neighbor could vouch for the delight a gift from her oven would bring.

Often remarking how she'd have never expected to travel to the places she did to be with her children, Mrs. Beard has now taken her last and most significant journey, joining her dear husband and beloved family for eternity.

Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 6, 2021 in Mont Alto United Methodist Church, 10 S. Main St., Mont Alto, PA. Burial will follow in Mont Alto Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., Friday evening, in Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, 50 S. Broad St., Waynesboro.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested a memorial donation might be made to Mont Alto United Methodist Church, 10 S. Main St., Mont Alto, PA 17237 or to the Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org

Online condolences may be expressed at www.bowersoxfuneralhomes.com