Nathaniel Beard passed away Saturday night, June 12, 2004, at his residence in Douglas County, after a long illness. He was 72 years old. Nathaniel was born on Oct. 11, 1931, in Ozark County to John Beard and Nola (White) Beard. On Oct. 11, 1952, Nathaniel and Ada Lee Friend were married in Mountain Home, Ark. A longtime member of the Souder Church of Christ, Nathaniel enjoyed fishing, gardening, and messing with gadg-ets. He also enjoyed helping his friends and neighbors and will be missed by many.
Nathaniel is survived by his wife, Ada, of the home; son, Rickey Lee Beard, and wife, Ronda, of Brixey; daughter, Janice Kay Curtis, and husband, E. J., of Ava; grandchildren, Shelly Kay Chambers, Ava, Shenna Renee Brown, and husband, Travis, Mtn. Grove, William Clay Curtis, and wife, Crystal, Ava, Trisha Jo Ladyman, and husband, Kenneth, of Columbia, Melissa Renee Beard, Mtn. Grove, and Stephannie Gaye Beard, Brixey; great-grandchildren, Kelli Kay Chambers, Farrah Faye Chambers, and Alejandria LeAnn Chambers; brother, Dale Beard, and wife Shirley, Ava; sister, Delores Hathcock, and husband, LeRoy, Springfield; and many other relatives and friends.
Nathaniel was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Lo-ran Beard.
Services were held Tuesday, June 15, 11 a.m., at the Clinking-beard Funeral Home, Gainesville, with E. J. Hampton officiating and burial at Souder Cemetery. Memo-rials may be made to Souder Cemetery in care of the funeral home.
