Harriet Beard

Harriet (Coon) Beard was born in Covington, Ohio on August 2, 1933, in the midst of the Great Depression. Her parents, Harry Elsworth Coon and Dessie Alpha (Davis) Coon, raised her on the family farm alongside five elder siblings, brother William Coon, and four sisters, Mildred (Reed), Velma (Magee), Mary Ellen (Landis), and Margaret (Mook). Harriet displayed personality traits in her childhood that she carried throughout her life... caring, determination, fierceness, poise, feistiness, and grace.

During her primary school years in Covington, Harriet evolved her passion for reading and books. An avid reader, she wasn’t without a book at hand over her lifetime. She passed her love for reading to her sons in due time. Harriet even tried her hand at creative writing, age 15, when her poem, Imagine, was published in the school newspaper. She graduated high school in 1951, and gained employment at a local Covington bank.

Harriet remained in Covington for several years. She displayed an adventurous spirit when she and her girlfriends drove across the Midwest one summer. Then her father, Harry Elsworth Coon, passed in September, 1953. A loving daughter, Harriet aided her mother, Dessie, after the family farm was lost to them. Concurrently she began dating a local boy, James B. Beard, while he attended college. Many letters were exchanged over the following years.

Harriet married James B. Beard in 1955, then moved to join him while he worked his way through higher education, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. She assumed a new role as typist, proofreader, and transcription. In September, 1959, her mother, Dessie Coon, passed.

Harriet shaped a home around her and Jim in every college town they lived, regardless of their lack of resources. While at Lancing, Michigan, she gave birth to her first son, James C. Beard, on September 27, 1961. Harriet confidently mixed her devotion as a caring mother while she assisted her husband as he gained his PhD in turfgrass science.

Harriet and Jim remained in Lancing as he worked at Michigan State University as professor and researcher. Soon enough she was listed by James as contributor then co-author of several turfgrass books spread across five decades. They often traveled the world together as Dr. James Beard worked as consultant on sports fields in Japan, Australia, most of Western Europe, and most of North America. Harriet explored the world as she found it, with infinite curiosity, wonder, and enjoyment.

At home in Lancing, Michigan, Harriet shaped a new house into a home for her family. She was an excellent home chef and baker, with cookies and pies a constant presence. She welcomed all friends, old and new, into her home with grace, and none left hungry or unheard. Her husband’s graduate students were equally welcomed into her home, as she encouraged and celebrated their accomplishments.

Around her home, Harriet ensured seasonal flowers and roses surrounded the house, along with full bird feeders. She enjoyed watching the birds at quiet moments, amused by the avian antics, while complaining good natured as the squirrels raided the feeders, and never stopped them either. Her second son, John Beard, was born in April, 1971. Harriet’s home had grown larger, and she expanded her heart to accommodate that love for her family.

Harriet and Dr. James moved to College Station in 1975, as her husband joined Texas A&M University as researcher and professor. Once again, Harriet shaped a new home for her family. Here she raised two precocious boys to adulthood over the next two decades. She continued to love and support James C. and John after they left home, regardless of all else.

This was Harriet’s busiest period of life. She continued to work with her husband on his books, articles, and correspondence; as well as, cooking and baking to feed her family and friends. She hosted social bridge games regularly, traveled the world, welcomed visitors from overseas, attended Aggie sports regularly, a Patron of the Arts and local library. She seldom missed a home baseball game while home.

Harriet added another aspect to herself when her granddaughter, Amanda Jeanette (Beard) Harrison was born on April 24, 1993, to her eldest son James C. Beard and his wife Kathey (Anderhold) Beard. Harriet increased her joy in life as she taught Amanda good home cooking and baking from memory and a large collection of cookbooks.

Turn of the century, Harriet’s life slowed as her husband Dr. James fully retired from most work, aside from sedately writing several more books. They wisely spent the summers at their Michigan lake house, and equally wisely returned home in Texas for the winter. Family and friends, old and new, were always welcome visitors.

Harriet’s husband, Dr. James B. Beard, passed suddenly in 2018. Regardless, she continued unselfishly to love and support her family. Then Harriet added a new role as great-grandmother, when her granddaughter Amanda gave birth to a great-grandson, James Wayne Harrison, born on February 13, 2020, and her second great-grandson, Wesley Hart Harrison, was born on May 11, 2022. Harriet always lent her time towards Amanda and her husband, Rusty Harrison, listened to every story of the boys, and showered them all with her love.

Harriet (Coon) Beard passed away at home in her sleep on the morning of April 25, 2023. She was 89 years old.

Daughter ... Sister ... Wife ... Mother ... Grandmother ... Great-Grandmother