Recently, the county, especially the Town of Weir, lost a legendary coach, mayor, father, brother, and friend. Mayor Glen Beard, Sr. passed away at his home on Thursday, November 14. Whether you referred to him as Glen, Big Beard, Coach Beard, Daddy Beard, or Poppa, he made an impact on anyone he met. His warm spirit, genuine heart and warm smile could light up a room. According to his obituary, a native of Edinburg, Beard came to Weir in 1980 where he operated in a number of roles from maintenance man to Principal. His love for people showed through every student, every player, every person he came in contact with during his tenure in the Choctaw County School District. Beard stepped back into the role of mayor for the Town of Weir after being asked, serving a third term. He previously served two terms and served as an alderman for the town. He was also a licensed preacher and operated in many roles at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. After receiving word of Beard’s passing, Facebook was flooded with many memories from former students, faculty members, family and friends who thought fondly of Beard. His funeral services were held on Sunday, November 17 at the Weir Elementary School Gymnasium and burial was held in the Weir Cemetery. He is survived by his wife Dorothy Elizabeth (Libby) Beard, his sons, Stewart Glen Beard, Jr. (Karla) and Jonathan Stephen Beard (Courtney); three grandsons, Stewart Glen Beard, III (Trace), Luke Thomas Beard and Jon Oliver Beard; four granddaughters, Elizabeth Kate Beard, Emorey Kamille Beard, Julie Suzanne Beard and Jordan Sage Beard; his mother Estelle Horn Beard, sister Gloria Allen, brother Joe Stewart Beard, Jr. (Sonya), and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends all of whom will cherish his memory.
