Winifred Garnett Beard

Winifred G. Beard

August 12, 1928 – September 13, 2018

Winifred Garnett Beard (Winnie), age 90, was born in Columbus, Ohio on August 12, 1928 to the late Earl and Dorothy Jones. Winnie passed away from natural causes on September 13, 2018.

Winnie had a long and beautiful life. After graduating from Columbus Central High School, she met the love of her life, Leslie Edward Beard and they were married on June 13, 1948.  Winnie used her talents and joyful spirt to motivate others and create community.  She and her family are charter members of Second Community Church, where her quiet leadership shined.  She was a member of the Masonic appendant body The Order of Eastern Star; she was a founding member of the Les Madames social club – a group of ambitious African-American women who raised money for charitable causes. Winnie’s clerical and administrative skills were put to good use at Sears for more than 20 years.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Leslie Beard and siblings Leroy Jones, Joyce Rozelle, Patricia Hill, and Gregory Jones.

Winnie leaves an extensive network of peopleto cherish her memory: daughters Vicki Beard (Valerie Nolan) and Lesili Beard (Dr. Iris Levine), son Michael Beard (Laura Ray); brother Gilbert Jones (Charlene), sisters Linda Freeman (Samuel) and Cheryl Nichols; granddaughter Dionne Brown, step grandchildren William Belcher, Jr. andDehlia Ray; great grandchildrenMalakiya, Micalah, Mylia and Mila Brown, and Aiden Foley, plus numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Services will be held Thursday, September 20, 2018, at Second Community Church, 311 S. Highland Avenue, Columbus 43223. Viewing at 11:00am and funeral service at 12:00pm. Police escort and processionalwill depart from the church at 1:15pm for interment services at Glen Rest Memorial Estates. Repass at Second Community Church.

The family welcomes any charitable donations in Winifred’s name be made to the National Kidney Foundation.