Funeral services for Gloria Ann Beard will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Boone-Card Funeral Home in Indianola with visitation at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow immediately at Indianola City Cemetery.
Gloria Ann Beard, also known as Pennie, passed away on August 31, 2024, in Murfreesboro, TN while visiting her children. She was 86 years old and a life-long resident of Indianola. Anyone who knew her would attest to her strong will and independence. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her greatest love and all-consuming joy.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Robert Wayne Beard, known as Wayne Beard to most people, and a son, Clifton Lee Beard, both of Indianola. Also, by her mother, Hattie Mae Plantz of Monterey, CA, her father Frederick Donovan of Natchez, MS, two brothers, Joe Virgil Plantz of Vancouver, WA and Frederick Donovan Jr. of Edgewood, TX, four sisters, Evelyn Campbell of Lamar, AR, Hattie Ruth Watkins of Yakima, WA, Lillian Donovan of Natchez, MS, and Katherine Saudi of Natchez, MS.
She is survived by her son Joe Beard and his husband Mark French of Murfreesboro, TN, her daughter Cynthia Beard May, and her husband William May, also of Murfreesboro, TN. Six grandchildren, Michael Beard (Stephanie) of Springdale, AR, Ciara Holley (Sheldon) of North Port, FL, Chelsea Miller of Indianola and Jonathan Miller also of Indianola, Nicholas May (Beth) of Murfreesboro, TN, and Emily May Knox (Trent) of Murfreesboro, TN. She is also survived by ten great-grandchildren, Anzley Holley, Brayton Holley, Emma Holley, Skyler Miller, Maximus Beard, Rylee May, Lainey May, Kinsley May, Larkin May, and last but not least, two-year-old Lillyana Miller, the caboose to Pennie’s train of love and happiness. She is also survived by three brothers, Albert Plantz Jr., James Plantz, and Roy Plantz, all of California, and her dear friends Bettie Hobart Weeks and Tina Walker.