Mary Beard

Mary Margaret ‘Mickey’ Frum Beard, 85, of Belle passed away May 3, 2025, at Complete Care at Oak Ridge, Charleston after complications from a fall.

She was born in 1940 at home in the midst of an unexpected snowstorm that left the area paralyzed. She was delivered at home by her mother, an RN and a family friend. Mickey graduated from DuPont High School, class of 1957 and later graduated from Charleston Business College the following year. She was a proud Panther assisting with the reunion committee for many years. She married the love of her life, Boyd “Nub” Beard in 1960.

Her career began in civil service soon afterwards at the Department of Mental Health and concluded in the 1980’s, retiring from the WV State Tax Department, Field Agents section. She later returned to WV Legislative Services as a proofreader.

She was a member of Malden United Methodist Church where she served as Treasurer and Sunday School teacher. Mentoring young people was one of her passions. She was an active volunteer with CORA (Community of Rand Association) working with the summer youth program as well as the clothing program. She offered many hours of service with St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary in the black lung testing center. In addition to being a loving wife, mother, and grandmother she was a lifelong shepherd of children in Christ and lived a life of service.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Boyd T. “Nub” Beard; parents, Randall Norman Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Mosher Frum; brother, Randall Norman Frum Jr. and sister, Charlotte “Betty” Gaylor.

Surviving are her daughters, Beverly Hansen (James) of Hoover, Alabama, Nancy Beard-Ash (Steve) of Belle; sister, Carolyn Samples of Charleston; grandchildren, Jillian Ash, James Marc Hansen (Elizabeth), Derek Ash, Elizabeth Ash Lares (James Grant), and great grandchildren, Madelyn Woelfel and James Bennett Hansen.

The family would like to recognize the compassionate care she received from personal caregivers, Marcel, Cynthia, Nikki and NP Laurie at Oak Ridge Center. We thank all the staff and specialty services offered to our mother. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Fidler and Frame Funeral Home, Belle with Pastor Chris Hudnall officiating. Interment will follow in Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens, Glasgow. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time at the funeral home on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to CORA, in care of Ellen Carter, 5701 Church Drive, Charleston, West Virginia 25306.