Frances Beard

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Frances Gay Beard, who left this world peacefully on September 3, 2025, at the age of 79.

Frances was born in Moultrie, Georgia to Dr. Francis and Mrs. Marion Gay on July 28, 1946. She was raised in Moultrie, and carried with her the grace, charm, and strength of a true Southern woman. Frances was a proud graduate of Moultrie High School, where she was captain of the cheerleading team for the 1963 1-AAA Region Champions Packers Football team and sweetheart of the Key Club. It was in Moultrie in kindergarten where she first met the love of her life who became her high school sweetheart and husband of 57 years, Thomas Valentine Beard, III. Together, Frances and Tom built a marriage grounded in love and trust that formed the foundation of their family.

After high school, Frances briefly attended Auburn University before transferring to the University of Georgia, where she was reunited with Tom. At UGA, she became a sister of the Phi Mu sorority and a sweetheart to Tom’s Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Upon graduating from the University of Georgia, Frances taught elementary school in Athens, Georgia alongside Barbara Dooley, the wife of legendary Georgia football coach Vince Dooley. When Tom was stationed in Germany during his service in the U.S. Army, Frances joined him. They spent several years abroad before returning to South Carolina, where they welcomed twin sons, Brooks and Hayes.

Tom then joined the successful 1976 Presidential Campaign of Jimmy Carter. Frances was always by Tom’s side as he went on to serve throughout President Carter’s term as Senior Deputy to the Chief of Staff. Alongside diplomats and world leaders, Frances was the epitome of Southern elegance and class. It was during this time that she gave birth to their youngest son, Casey.

After the Carter years, Frances and Tom settled in Atlanta, Georgia where Tom worked as an investment banker and wealth manager. Frances poured herself into all things motherhood. She embodied patience, devotion, and warmth. Her home was a haven of family, laughter, and her unparalleled cooking. Frances was a gifted home chef who catered daily to the whims and particularities of her family.

Frances' love for her three sons and six grandchildren was immeasurable. She attended countless school and sporting events. Frances was known for selecting just the right celebratory or holiday card for her family and friends, always filling them with heartfelt, humorous messages written in her immaculate cursive.

Beyond her family, Frances also shared her love with a collection of pets that she adamantly refused, initially hated, and subsequently came to love deeply (none more so than Frank “the hunting dog” and Lucius “the genius" bulldog).

Frances had a lifelong passion for bridge. With a sharp mind and competitive (read “killer”) edge, she achieved the honor and recognition of being named Life Master in 2002 by The American Contract Bridge League. It should be noted, that shortly after college when Frances’ bridge skill inevitably surpassed Tom’s, he stubbornly refused to play with her again!!

Frances is survived by her husband, Tom; her sons, Brooks (Alissa Portman), Hayes (Kelley Norris), and Casey (Elisha Wood); her grandchildren, Emery, Holden, Bryer, Frances (“F2”), Amelia, and Carter; and a wide circle of family and friends who loved her deeply and will miss her daily.

Though she is no longer with us, her legacy of love, grace, and hospitality will live on through her family and all who were blessed to share her life. She lived her life with dignity, humor, and a generosity of spirit and kindness that touched everyone fortunate enough to know her.

A service celebrating her life will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 2:00pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Moultrie in Moultrie, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to The Arts Center of Moultrie, 401 7th Avenue SW, Moultrie, Georgia 31768. https://moultriearts.org

Arrangements entrusted to Baker Funeral Home and Crematory.