Virginia Lee Beard

Virginia Lee Beard passed away peacefully at the age of 98 on February 4, 2025. Virginia was born on September 1, 1926 in Columbia, SC to the late Annie E. Crews and Robert Lee Beard. She attended St. Peter's Catholic School and Columbia High School.
Virginia retired after a long career at the SC Department of Archives and History where she worked in document preservation. After retirement she learned to drive and served as a caregiver for her brother and mother. Virginia also enjoyed traveling with her family, spending time with her pets, working in her yard, telling stories of her childhood adventures, and spending quality time with her loved ones. She faithfully attended First Baptist Church of Columbia for decades and remained strong in her Christian faith.
Virginia was predeceased by her brothers Clarence Beard, Jesse Beard, and Robert Beard; her sister Ruth Harlow; and her niece Deborah Wainwright (Randy). Virginia is survived by her loving family members Sharon Avinger (Mickey), Melody Harlow, Larry Beard (Dottie), Danny Beard, Diane Johnson (Charles), Paige Avinger (Natascha), Megan Estes, Brooke Bennink (Mark), Robin Crawford (Chelsea), Ashley Crawford, Steven Brazell (Bianca), and several great-great nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their appreciation to National Health Care in West Columbia for their care.
Funeral services will be held in the chapel of Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209 on Friday, February 14, 2025, at 1:00PM with the Reverend Richard Humphries officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Lexington Medical Center Foundation or Richland County Senior Resources.