It is with regret we announce the passing of Shelia Faye (Ray) Beard, age 74, of Fayetteville, TN. Sheila was born August 29, 1947, in Scottsboro to the late William C. Ray and Sarah Sims Ray. She passed away on January 2, 2022, at her residence.
Sheila married Donald L. Beard on September 2, 1967. She was devoted to her Lord and used her talents in creativity and sewing to profess the words of Christ. Sheila spent over 40 years teaching babies and toddlers about Jesus Christ as well as establishing new teaching criteria and mentoring teachers in Cradle Roll methods. She was a member of the Howell Church of Christ where she attended regularly until her illness finally home bound her.
She is survived by her husband, Don Beard with whom she celebrated 54 years of marriage; two sons, Nathan (Christie) Beard of Madison, AL, and Daniel (Amy) Beard of Blanche, TN. Six grandchildren, Levi, Faith, Gideon, Josiah, Caleb, and Leah Beard; two sisters, Bettye (Fred) Hafley of Soddy Daisy, TN, and Cathy (Phillip) Thomason of Port Heuneme, CA; along with many nieces and nephews. Along with her parents, Sheila was preceded in death by her brothers, Bob Ray of Scottsboro, and Scott Ray of Oxford, AL.
Funeral service will be held 11 am on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at Higgins Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 3 pm at Burgess Cemetery in Scottsboro, AL. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday from 9:30 am until 11 am at Higgins.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Sheila Faye Ray Beard.
