Chuck Beard, Jr.

Charles "Chuck" Leonard Beard, Jr., entered the presence of the Lord on March 2, 2026. Visitation will be held at Sheffield Methodist Church in Sheffield, AL, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 1:30 – 3:00 pm with the service immediately following.

Born on June 13, 1929, in Sheffield, AL, Chuck was the only child of Charles Leonard Beard, Sr., and Therese Schmidt Beard. He attended Sheffield City Schools, taking an active part in athletics, journalism, the National Honor Society, the French Club and the Student Council.

After graduating from Sheffield High School in 1947, he attended the University of Alabama, where he played football on the Crimson Tide B team. In 1949, when Florence State Teacher's College (now the University of North Alabama) decided to bring football to campus, Chuck transferred and played on the first Lions gridiron team as the starting right tackle. He then returned to the University of Alabama to complete his degree in Accounting and Finance. While he was a proud alumnus of the University Alabama, and always cheered for the Crimson Tide, Chuck never stopped supporting UNA athletics, especially Lion football and basketball. He was an active member of the Lions Athletic Club from its inception and was honored to be selected as the UNA Lions Athletic Club's Sports Person of the year in 2023.

After graduating from Alabama, he worked for Ernst and Ernst CPAs until entering the military in April of 1952, serving his country until his discharge in 1954, when he returned home to work with his dad. He then assumed the management of Royal Crown Bottling Company, serving in that capacity until 1986, when the company was sold. Never one to sit still, Chuck worked in real estate from 1987 through 1992 with Reese Real Estate and Sanford Realty with CRS certification. In 1992, Chuck was elected Colbert County Commissioner, serving two terms. He represented Colbert County on the Board of Associated County Commissioners of Alabama. He helped start Shoals Solid Waste Authority, representing Colbert County on the Board of Directors.

On August 21, 1954, Chuck married Elaine Gardner of Sheffield. The Gardner and Beard families had always been very close and were all active members of Sheffield First Methodist Church. In fact, Chuck and Elaine's first date was to the church Christmas musical. That first date blossomed into a love that would span 8 decades and welcome 4 children, 7 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.

A life-long member of Sheffield Methodist Church, Chuck served as a Sunday School teacher, Adult Choir member and Chairman of the Board of Stewards. He was active in the Shoals Emmaus Community, having served as Lay Director of an Emmaus Walk at Camp Sumatanga.

Chuck was an active and beloved member of the Shoals community. While at RC Bottling Company he worked with the Sheffield High School Band Boosters to establish concession stands at the football games to raise money to buy instruments. Other local contributions include serving as President of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Shoals YMCA Board, President of Sheffield Kiwanis Club, helping to establish Colbert Caring Center. and serving on the University of North Alabama Board of Trustees. But what generations of people who grew up in the Shoals or attended UNA most remember about Chuck Beard was his willingness to invest his time and love into their lives. From mentoring young people in sports, to giving them a job at the bottling plant, to providing guidance in their spiritual lives, he was always willing to give of himself to help others. He was a walking example of what a Christian man should be.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Elaine Gardner Beard; children Patty Beard Byers (Mike) of Muscle Shoals, Ben Beard (Linda) of Fort Collins, CO, Bill Beard (Lysa) of Muscle Shoals and Bob Beard (Melissa) of Winfield, AL; grandchildren, Preston Byers (Alysia), Rebekah Byers Mayfield (David), Nate Beard, Catherine Beard, Josh Beard, Spencer Beard (Alyssa), Mary Katherine Beard Dean (Clark); and 10 great grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to Sheffield Methodist Church, 701 N Montgomery Av, Sheffield, AL, 35660 or the UNA Lions Athletic Club, UNA Box 5071, Florence, AL 35632.