Joan Medcalf Stevens Beard

Joan was born July 4, 1926 in Bolton, England and passed away January 16, 2011 in Omaha, NE. A memorial service will be held at 10 am Friday, January 28, 2011 at Memory Chapel. Dr. Randall Turner will officiate. Joan grew up in England during World War II and was a “war bride” of Philip Ed Stevens (US Army) of Laurel MS. They married June 26, 1946 and were married for 47 years. Moving to the USA after the wedding, she always enjoyed the fact that such a big to-do was made of her birthday, much more than they did in her home country. Joan and “Steve” as she called him, raised 5 children, more than a full time job for anyone, but she always made time for volunteer work. She spent many years with the South Central Regional Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary, and was instrumental in getting the Hospital’s gift shop organized into a viable operation. Later, she was heavily involved in the Hospital’s hospice program. Her two sisters Betty and Nancy visited often from England, and they took many trips to the Gulf Coast and New Orleans, enjoying the beach, fishing and crabbing, and seafood restaurants. After Mr. Stevens passed away in 1993, she met George Beard of Omaha NE during a trip to visit her daughter Shirley, who lived near Omaha. They were married August 13, 1994 and spent 16 wonderful years together. They took many trips, including Europe, an Alaskan cruise, Panama Canal cruise, Hawaii, and of course trips home to Mississippi to visit children and grandchildren. She kept a list of the many great meals they had when eating out, a count that reached 254 different restaurants! She was preceded in death by parents Alice and Norman Medcalf, Blackpool England; husband Philip E. Stevens, Laurel MS; daughter Shirley Ann Stevens Minton, Papillion, NE; sons Alan Edward Stevens and Christopher Travis Stevens, both Laurel MS; sister, Nancy Bloomfield, Poulton - Le - Fylde, England. She is survived by husband George H. Beard, Omaha, NE; Sons Philip Michael Stevens, Laurel, MS and Bryan Norman (Donna) Stevens, Lumberton, MS; daughter Nancy Blair Stevens (Bob) Billingsley, Laurel, MS; sister Betty Kellie, Thornton Cleveleys Lancashire, England; sons-in-law John Minton, Papillion, NE and stepson Donald Beard, Seattle, WA; stepdaughter Margaret (Theodore) Ralph, San Antonio, TX. Grandchildren are Blair(Chris) Harmon, Joshua (Kelly) Stevens, Mindy (Brad) Podraza, Kaleigh Stevens, Monica Stevens, Wes Minton, Steven Billingsley, Miles Bond, Henry (Brenda) Carlisle, William (Emily) Beard, Steven (Shelly) Beard, Rachel (Theodore) Widman, Daniel (Cathleen) Ralph; great-grand-children Joseph Ralph, Harris Stevens, Haley Carlisle, Matthew Ralph, Molly Stevens, and Olivia Carlisle: and many nieces and nephews. We mourn the loss of a great Mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and wife, but at the same time celebrate the wonderful active life she led over her 84 years. Memorials may be made to the Animal Rescue League, Hospice or other charity of your Choice. Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 pm Thursday, January 27, 2011 at Memory Chapel of Laurel which is in charge of the arrangements.

Joan Medcalf Stevens Beard

July 4, 1926 - January 16, 2011