Oral Franklin Beard was a loving husband, father and brother who will be greatly missed by all who had the honor of knowing him. He was born on September 11, 1949 and passed away on January 17, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.
A service to honor him will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 11:00 AM in the Edgewood Hall of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia. Family will visit with friends from 10:00 AM until time of the service. Burial will follow in Parkhill Cemetery with Military Honors.
Oral Franklin Beard was born in Fort Benning, Georgia to the late Jim Frank Beard and Effie Mae Buckhalter Beard. He honorably and faithfully served his country in the United States Air Force and the United States Army, serving during Vietnam and Desert Storm. He was awarded numerous decorations, medals, badges, citations, and campaing ribbons for his service. After his service to his country, Oral enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was married to his loving wife, Sharon “Sha” Beard, together they loved traveling and loved going to the Bahamas where they were to open a restaurant. Oral enjoyed bird watching and being in the great outdoors.
Oral leaves his legacy to be cherished by his loving wife, Sha Beard; his son, Jesse (Amanda) Beard; his sisters: Ann (Larry) Gaunce and Deborah (Hank) Dionne; his brothers: Steven Beard, Emmett Beard, and John Beard; numerous nieces, nephews and other family members. Oral was preceded in death by his parents, Jim Beard and Effie Buckhalter Beard; his niece, Abby Dionne; and his nephew, Michael Beard.
