Lois Knight Beard, 97, of St. Marys, peacefully passed away Sunday, August 4, 2024, at Camden Clark Medical Center in Parkersburg.
Born March 30, 1927, in Fairmont, she was a daughter of the late Sarah Alta Reeves and Dorsey G. Knight.
A brilliant scholar, Lois graduated as valedictorian from East Fairmont High School in 1945. She was not only academically gifted but also a talented musician. After years of dedication to piano practice, she performed at numerous recitals, concerts and competitions, including a prestigious summer workshop at Juilliard School in New York. Lois continued her education at West Virginia University, earning a degree in music education in 1949.
Lois and her husband, Robert “Bob” Beard, began their married life on a family farm near Hillsboro in Pocahontas County. In 1961, they moved to St. Marys when Robert became the manager of the farm at the Colin Anderson Center. Lois joined him there, initially as a music instructor and later as the director of Social Services, a role she held for more than two decades. Her musical talents also found an outlet as she served as the choir director and organist at Oak Grove Presbyterian in Hillsboro and Grace Episcopal in St. Marys. In recent years, she attended the United Methodist Church in St. Marys, the denomination of her youth. She contributed her creative skills while working alongside her beloved husband in their florist business in St. Marys.
An avid reader, Lois had a passion for newspapers, magazines and books. She loved traveling, both domestically and internationally, and had a great affection for her grandchildren and little dogs.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her older sister, Rosemary.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 75 years, Robert Beard; their three children, Nancy (Bill) Ingram, of Kingsport, Tennessee, Suzanne (Rob) Evans, of St. Marys, and Matthew (Luanne) Beard, of Hannibal, Ohio; seven grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren, all of whom brought immense joy to her life.
Lois Knight Beard will be remembered for her intelligence, musical talent, dedication to family and love for life. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Pleasants County Humane Society, P. O. Box 110, St. Marys, WV 26170.
A celebration of life will be held at Ingram Funeral Home, St. Marys, Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 2 p.m. with Reverend Clare Sulgit officiating.
Friends may call from 1 p.m. until time of service.
