Sharon Beard

Sharon Beard passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at Hospice of Baton Rouge. She was 72. Sharon was born in Baton Rouge on Oct. 7, 1936, the first child of Helen Petty and Spec Vernon Petty. She graduated from Baton Rouge High School and the College of Education at LSU, earning her teaching degree in English. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Mu sorority. She taught at Denham Springs High School. Sharon married Thomas Rex Tommy Beard, whom she met at a Sunday school class, on Dec. 21, 1957. They lived for a brief time in Durham, N.C., while Tommy completed his Ph.D. studies at Duke University. They had two children, Randy 1959 and Sherry 1961 and, except for short residencies in Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kan., they lived their entire lives in Baton Rouge. Sharon had a distinguished career in higher education and was widely respected in the academic community for her honesty, integrity and ability. She served with the Louisiana Board of Regents in several capacities, beginning with the board's creation in 1974. She served as deputy commissioner for planning and research for many years, and briefly served as acting commissioner. She coordinated several master plans for higher education. Her work on the long-running court suit over the desegregation of higher education in Louisiana earned her great respect from all of the parties involved. The Louisiana Legislature honored her for her efforts upon her retirement. She was appointed to the multi-state Southern Regional Education Board SREB by several governors, and served a two-year term as the board's vice president, the highest position available to an educator. She was the first woman to receive this honor. Despite her many professional accomplishments, Sharon remained an exceptionally modest person. After her retirement, she very seldom spoke about her career or her enduring contributions to Louisiana higher education. Many of her friends were unaware of the details of her earlier career. After her retirement, Sharon continued her interest in, and work on behalf of education. She was an active member of the Lagniappe Studies Unlimited program, a senior learning organization affiliated with LSU's Division of Continuing Education. She served in various capacities with Lagniappe, including that of president, vice president, and co-chair of the Curricula Committee. Above all other things, however, Sharon loved her family and friends. She was immensely proud of her husband, children and grandchildren. She was a loving and supportive daughter and sister. She remained throughout her life a person of humility and humanity, at ease speaking or working with anyone. Others sensed this in her, and she leaves behind many devoted friends and colleagues. Sharon is survived by her husband of 51 years, Thomas Rex Tommy Beard; daughter, Sharon Elizabeth Sherry Barber, and son-in-law, Michael Barber, of Baton Rouge; son, Thomas Randolph Randy Beard, and daughter-in-law, Leslie Anne Roberts Beard, of Auburn, Ala.; grandchildren, Rebecca Barber, Sarah Barber, Nick Beard and Tommy Beard; mother, Mrs. Helen Petty, of Baton Rouge; sister, Gail Templeton and brother-in-law, Charles Templeton, of Baton Rouge; brother, Robert Vernon Petty, and sister-in-law, Carol Petty, of Phoenix; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Her father, Spec Vernon Petty, and her brother, Ronald Webb Petty, preceded her in death. Sharon was a faithful member of University United Methodist Church. She lived her Christian principles in her everyday life. There will be a funeral service for Sharon Beard at University United Methodist Church, 3350 Dalrymple Drive, on Monday, March 9, at noon, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Internment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to University United Methodist Church, 3350 Dalrymple Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, or to Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9063 Siegen Lane, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA st1:Postal

Visitation

Univeristy United Methodist Church
3350 Dalrymple Drive
Baton Rouge, LA  70802
Monday, March 9, 2009
10am

Service

University United Methodist Church
3350 Dalrymple Drive
Baton Rouge, LA  70802
Monday, March 9, 2009
12pm

Cemetery

Resthaven Gardens of Memory
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816

Memorial Contributions

University United Methodist Church
3350 Dalrymple Drive
Baton Rouge, LA  70802

Hospice of Baton RougeH
9063 Seigen Lane
Baton Rouge, LA  70810