Family and friends are invited to share Memories and Milestones at the public visitation for Charles W. Beard Jr., from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, January 5, 2023, at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church, 410 Bell Ave., Gurdon, Arkansas. Private memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, January 6, at Williams Funeral Home in Arkadelphia with Rev. Lonnell Moore officiating.  

Charles was born on August 1, 1970 in Gurdon, Arkansas, to the union of Charles William Beard and Hazel Irene Hatley. He was the “first-born” grandchild of 23 grandchildren born to Andy and Christine Hatley. Charles accepted Christ at a young age. He was a 1984 graduate of Terrell High School where he excelled as a student and showed tremendous enthusiasm in his studies. He loved and played most sports including, football, and basketball and he was a member of the track team.

Charles worked as a maintenance assistant at SAU Tech in 2009. He later worked with the grounds initially and moved to Skilled Trades. In July 2000, he was promoted top Recruiter for the welding Academy of South Arkansas. His charismatic and nurturing personality made his job easy. He was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys and Arkansas Razorback fan. Being from the south, he was a true outdoorsman. He enjoyed grilling and all genres of music, including county western.

He loved spending time with his family and being in the company of his grandparents. On Saturday, December 31, 2022, Charles passed from this life.

He leaves an abundance of love with his parents, Hazel Irene Fingers of Palestine, Ark.; Charles (Lynette) Beard of Chesapeake, Va.; his children, Ashley Wilcox of Washington, D.C., Courtney Wells and Camyron Richardson both of Terrell, Texas, Noddrick Fuqua of Dallas, Texas, Jayonna Beard, Breanna Beard, and Stefan Beard all of Malvern; and four grandchildren. He also leaves sisters, Jessica Rainey of Benton, Kimberly (Gary)Harvey of Okolona, April Beard of Okolona, and Nicole Beard of Chesapeake, Va.; brothers, Michael Beard and William Christopher Beard, both of Dallas, Texas, and Lewis Beard of Chesapeake, Va.; a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and numerous friends.