MINNEOLA - Mary "Virginia" Myers Beard, 95, of Minneola, Kansas, entered into the joy of her Lord on October 1, 2017. She was born in Sterling, Kansas, on September 9, 1922, the daughter of Champ Emer Myers and Mary Lenora Myers. Following her father's death when she was four years old, her mother married Burton F. Axtell. Virginia graduated from Sterling High School in 1940 and attended Sterling College for two years, earning a teaching certificate. She taught elementary school in a country school at Sterling, Kansas and then moved to Fowler, Kansas and taught in the public school in there, until her marriage to Cloyce J. Beard on June 7, 1946. She and Cloyce made their home in Minneola, Kansas.

Virginia and Cloyce reared four children, Philip, Marsha, Joyce, and John. Virginia was raised in the United Presbyterian Church in Sterling and became an active member along with Cloyce in the Reformed Presbyterian Church (formerly the Associate Presbyterian Church) in Minneola. In more recent years, she was active in the Minneola Community Church.

Virginia was a devoted mother and skilled homemaker who enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, and quilting. She used all of her God-given gifts to serve her family and community with a humble spirit. She enjoyed meeting people and had a keen memory for names and birthdays. She was an earnest Christian who gladly shared her faith with others. She spent much time reading the Bible and praying for others and lived life with joy and contentment in all of her circumstances.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Cloyce; a daughter, Joyce; a sister, Helen; and three brothers, Donnell Axtell, Donald Myers, and Edward Myers. She is survived by a sister, Evelyn Hildebrand; three children, Philip (Eileen), Marsha (Jack) Stroade, and John (Liz); ten grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

"Her children arise and call her blessed." (Proverbs 31:28)

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 10:30 am at the Minneola Community Church with Pastor Shawn Leach officiating. Burial will follow at the Appleton Township Cemetery, Minneola. There will be no public viewing.

Memorials may be sent to Minneola Long Term Care or the Minneola Community Church, in care of Minnis Mortuary, P.O. Box 459, Minneola, Kansas 67865.