Emma "Jean" Gilstrap Beard

Emma “Jean” Gilstrap Beard, age 88, of Easley, South Carolina passed peacefully surrounded by family to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, February 2, 2025. Jean was born in Six Mile to the late William Henry Gilstrap and Elsie Aiken Gilstrap Trotter.

She attended Pickens High and loved her first career in several dental offices in Pickens County performing all supporting roles. First marrying Charles Edward Simmons, Jean became a mother, homemaker, and Sunday School teacher. After 18 years of marriage Charles passed away, and Jean poured her soul into her church and children. She represented the women of Pickens View Wesleyan Church on the building committee of the current sanctuary. A decade later, she married Arnold Beard starting a second career as a pastor’s wife at Wesleyan churches in Elberton, GA, several in NC, Piedmont, SC and her home church at Pickens View. She and Arnold loved each other, their blended family, church families, traveling, and celebrating patriotic and Christian holidays. Her warm heart, great smile and Southern cooking will be missed by all.

Jean is survived by her daughter Susan Simmons (Roy Hoyle), son Samuel Simmons (Kristi), stepdaughter Rena Quist (Phil), stepson Brian Beard (Laura), and stepdaughter Jena Edwards (Richard). She loved her grandchildren: Jennifer Crittenden (Adam), Charles Simmons (Grace), Alexander Simmons (Ali), Cameron Simmons, Drake Kelon Brown, Cody Jacobs (Kimberly Burrell), Matthew Jacobs, Morgan Dorriety (Aaron), Victoria White (Jay Cox), Hunter Allen (Chaz), Addison Holcombe (Isaiah), and Landon Edwards; and great-grandchildren: Cooper Crittenden; Khloe Jacobs and Devin Smith; and Nolan, Jett, Sailor, Bowie, and Boston Dorriety.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Reverend Arnold McArthur Beard and Charles Edward Simmons, son Sydney Simmons, her Gilstrap siblings, stepfather Arthur Trotter of Pickens, and her Trotter stepsiblings.

For the last three years, Jean lived with her daughter on Lake Keowee due to limited vision. This time was filled with good memories of trips to Wyoming and fresh produce especially the melons from the Wednesday flea market. As her health declined, she was blessed to have Russell Chambers and Mary Evans as her household family. The family also wants to thank her many healthcare providers during this time. The family truly believes that while Jean’s quality of life visibly declined, God’s plan for her to live at home was still shining brightly through her beautiful blue eyes blessing and enriching the lives of everyone around her.

Visitation will be held Friday, February 7, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. and a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. at Pickens View Wesleyan Church, 744 Bethlehem Ridge Rd, Pickens, SC 29671. A committal service follows at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 2410 Gentry Memorial Hwy, Pickens, SC 29671.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pickens View Wesleyan Church building fund. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.