On March 29, 2009 at 7:05 PM, the Angel of Death sealed Hattie Mae Beard's lips, calling her to eternal rest after 87 wonderful years. She went quietly and peacefully with her daughter, Norma Jean Tucker and granddaughter, Tracie Mitchell-Diles at her side.


On November 30, 1921, in Summit, Oklahoma, a precious baby girl was born to Joe and Mary [Price] Banes. She was named Hattie Mae. Her formative years were spent at Booker T. Washington School in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Upon graduation, Hattie Mae joined First Baptist Church in Sand Springs.


Later, she moved to Summit, Oklahoma, where she met and married Pete Frazier. From this union, one child was born, a daughter, Norma Jean Frazier. Hattie Mae united with First Baptist Church in Summit under the pastoral direction of Reverend F. Roberts.


On October 17, 1941, she married Hesley Beard, Sr. Their union was blessed with seven children.


Mrs. Beard was preceded in death by her parents, five children and four brothers.


Those family members left to celebrate her homegoing; her devoted husband, Hesley Beard, Sr., Muskogee, Oklahoma; her daughters, Norma Jean Tucker, Okay, Oklahoma, Clarice Berryhill, Corona, California, a step-daughter, Shurlene Jones, Houston, Texas, a son, Ronald [Denise] Beard, Arlington, Texas; eleven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; a special God-daughter, Renee Hall, of Virginia; a daughter-in-law, Dorothy Beard, Muskogee; and a caravan of other family members and friends to cherish her special memory.


The Sacred Farewell will be on Friday, April 3, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. in the First Baptist Church of Summit. Reverend Charles Moore, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Booker T. Washington Cemetery in Muskogee.

You may visit Mrs. Beard, as she slumbers in sweet repose at the funeral home on Thursday from 12 Noon to 6 PM.