Bertha Jimenez Beard

Bertha Jimenez Beard, age 86, passed away Thursday Oct. 10.

Bertha was born January 28, 1933. Mrs. Beard was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great – grandmother. She was known for her good cooking, especially her pot roast, and her feisty attitude. She loved to travel and lived all over the world including Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, the Philippines, and South Africa.

She is described as a strong woman, who was very direct and unafraid to share her opinion, but also the life of the party. She loved music particularly mariachi, and dancing, trips to the casino, and shopping as long as there was a sale.

She loved to give gifts and shopped for her grandchildren year around. She even had a special closet stocked with any and all necessities available to anyone in need. In her younger years Mrs. Beard was an amazing seamstress she made her son new shirts for school almost daily, and handmade her daughter’s wedding dresses even sewing on the individual beads. Most importantly Bertha was a devout catholic; she had a personal relationship with God, and we know today she is looking down on us from Heaven.

Bertha is preceded in death by her parents, Juan Pablo and Trinidad Jimenez; sisters, Carmen Gonzales and Francisca Camarena; and brother, Pablo Jimenez.

Left behind to cherish her memory is her loving husband of 67 years, Walter Benjamin Beard; children, John Paul Beard (Nena), Elizabeth Payne (Gerald), and Sandra Byrd (David); grandchildren; Johnathan Beard, Genesis Mitchell (Richard), Rebecca Studder (Walt), Jason Beard (Tristyn), Shawn Payne (Emily), Lisandra Miller, Christy Turner, Justin B Byrd (Victoria), and Tiffany Byrd; 29 great- grandchildren and one on the way; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mrs. Bertha Beard was always full of life and love for all of those around her. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

A visitation was held at Rockco Funeral Home (Montevallo) on Sunday, Oct. 13 from 2-3 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 3 p.m. A celebration of life was held at the Beard home following the funeral.