Bessie E. Beard

OUR MATRIARCH, BESSIE ELLA BEARD, daughter of the late John Q. Smith Sr. and Emily Smith was born on July 21, 1936, in Glencoe, Maryland. On Sunday, September 28, 2025, Bessie transitioned at home surrounded by her loving family and entered in eternal rest with the Lord. Bessie was affectionately known as “Momma,” “Mom Mom, ” “Sugarfoot,” and “Pullus” by her family and friends. Bessie was raised in Northern Baltimore County, in the communities of Glencoe and Sandy Bottom. While her father was serving in the Navy and stationed in Oakland, California, her mother, brother John, and Bessie relocated there for three years. After returning to Maryland, the family settled in Lutherville. Bessie received her education through the Baltimore County Public School System.Bessie married the love of her life, Hilton C. Beard, on December 31, 1952. To this union six children were born, Deborah, Patricia, Linda, Jo Ann, Hilton Jr., and Reginald. Later in life after the passing of her parents, Bessie and Hilton lovingly welcomed and nurtured their adopted daughter, Yvette Wood, cherishing her as their own. Bessie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Hilton C. Beard Sr.; two daughters, Patricia and Deborah; son,Reginald Beard; three sisters, Alice Adams, Emily Maddox, and Alfaretta Wilkerson; and brother, John Q. Smith Jr. Bessie received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at Edgewood United Methodist Church under the leadership of Rev. M.M. Jefferson. In 1986, the Lord led her and her family to become members of New Frontiers of Faith Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Eugene T. Grove Sr. Bessie loved worshipping and praising the Lord. She faithfully served as a Deaconess, participated in the Women’s Fellowship, regularly attended Prayer and Bible Study, and took great joy in working with Vacation Bible School. Bessie was employed by the Baltimore City Public School System as a Paraprofessional. She retired after 32 years of service from Guilford Elementary/Middle School. Bessie deeply loved her family – especially her children and grandchildren. She was a humble, loving soul who would do anything for those she cared about. If anyone was in need – whether food or financial help – she and Hilton were always there to lend a hand. Bessie loved to cook, and preparing large meals each day was second nature to her. Sunday dinners were her favorite; each one felt like Thanksgiving with the amount of food she lovingly prepared. She was especially known for her delicious seafood salad, potato salad, and fried chicken. Whenever you visited her home, she insisted that you eat – and you dared not say no! She loved traveling and shopping, and she and Jo Ann were always on the go – joined by their side-kick Lashe’. She especially looked forward to the family’s annual vacations to Williamsburg, VA. Boy, did she wear Jo Ann out with shopping. Bessie also cherished her three trips to Disney World, where she became a child again – beaming with joy as she took pictures with the Disney characters. In the last two years she became a Ravens fan. Lamar Jackson was her favorite. She loved watching television – especially Wheel of Fortune, Dr. Pimple Popper, Dr. Pol, and most of all, her favorite: westerns. She leaves to cherish her precious loving memory: three daughters, Linda (Aaron) Green Sr., Jo Ann (Rodney) Brown Sr. and Yvette (Maurice) Wood; son, Hilton Beard Jr.; six grandchildren, Jermaine Woodhouse, Aaron Green Jr., Ashley Green, Deborah Green, Hilton Beard III and Krissy Wood; two great-grandchildren, Lashe’ Woodhouse and Jermaine (Scooter) Woodhouse; three great-great-grandchildren, Karter Chuba, Zachariah Woodhouse and Layla Crane; two sisters-in-law, Alice Smith and Annette Bedford; sister, Ann Walker; two brothers, Randy Smith and Jerry Smith; devoted daughter/friend, Janet Ruff; goddaughter, Cheryl Harrison; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends to cherish her legacy.

Tributes

Bessie E. Beard

July 21, 1936 - September 28, 2025