James Thomas “Tommy” Beard, 70, retired employee of Nissan USA and resident of Columbia, died Thursday July 27, 2023 at Maury Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 11:00 A.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Rev. Anthony Muston, Rev. Stephen McCollum, Pastor Ronnie Johnson, and Pastor Gary Fewell officiating. Burial will be in Knob Creek Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
Born January 13, 1953 in Columbia, he was the son of the late Ralph Beard, Sr. and the late Jennie Mae Shouse Beard. On August 3, 1974, he married Marilyn Jones of Columbia.
He was a 1971 graduate of Columbia Central High School. For several years, Tommy was employed at Maury Auto Parts before beginning his career at Nissan in Smyrna. After retirement, he had worked as an Assistant at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. An antique enthusiast, he had booths at several locations and always enjoyed finding a good bargain.
A well-known self taught musician, he had played guitar and banjo with many gospel groups, including The Spiritualaires, In His Name, and The Family and Friends Choir. Also, an avid motorcyclist, Tommy was always ready to ride when the opportunity arose and loved biking to the Grand Canyon with his “biker buddies”. Tommy was a member and former deacon of Knob Creek Baptist Church where he was also a former member of the band.
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Jones Beard of Columbia; son, Caleb (Suzanne) Beard of Columbia; daughter, Aftan (Scotty) Faulkner of Columbia; sisters, Helen Green of Culleoka and Juanita (Bill) Smith of Columbia; grandchildren, Beckham Faulkner, Emerson Faulkner, Cambelle Faulkner, and Cruz Beard; brothers-in-law, Rick (Pam) Jones and Tracy (Sheri Woody) Jones; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph Beard, Jr. and sister-in-law, Janie Beard; brother-in-law, Gilbert Green; nephew, Tim Beard; and parents-in-law, Bill and Mary Jones.
Active pallbearers will be Luke Jones, Michael Smith, Jason Bartlett, Steve Jones, Mike Beard, Jerry Faulkner, Josh Wall, and Tommy Burgess. Honorary pallbearers will include members of Knob Creek Baptist Church and his Biker Buddies.
Memorials may be made to Knob Creek Cemetery, c/o Tim Fitzgerald, 1209 Hunters Point Lane, Spring Hill, TN 37174.
