Charles Beard

Wilson - Charles LeCompte Beard, 88, died Monday, February 25, 2013.

Funeral, Thursday, 2 PM, First Presbyterian Church, followed by visitation. Interment will be in Pikeville Cemetery, Pikeville.

Charles was born in Lexington, KY on December 12, 1924. He attended the University of Kentucky and worked for the US Government during World War II. In 1944 he began working with Universal Leaf Tobacco Co. and retired after 46 years. He also was an antique dealer for 35 years in KY, MD and NC.

He retired in 1988 to enjoy coastal living on the banks of Dawson Creek in Pamlico County. There he served as a Deacon and treasurer at Bethany Christian Church. In 1994, he became a member of The Gideons International where he served as Memorial Bible Chairman until the present.

Charles spent his last six years living in Wilson where he enjoyed gourmet cooking, reading, antique shopping and surrounding himself with family and friends. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and found fulfillment in serving the Lord and helping others.

He is survived by his wife of twenty-four years, Linda Combs Beard; son, Charles L. Beard, Jr. (Melissa) of Decatur, TX; daughter, Martha Salk (Richard) of Rye, NY; step-children, Kimberly Herring Langlois (Jeff) of Raleigh, John Herring (Katherine) of Holly Springs and Todd Herring (Amber Hoggard) of Goldsboro; fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild and brother, Joseph B. Beard, III (Frances) of Sarasota, FL.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph B. Beard, Jr. and Eugenia LeCompte Beard; sisters, Anne W. Beard and Jean B. Bates.

Memorials are suggested to The Gideons International, PO Box 274, Wilson, NC 27894 or First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 3184, Wilson, NC 27895.