Janice Elizabeth Beard, 94, of Vidor peacefully died at home on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Janice was born in June of 1932 in Many, Louisiana to Amos Don Brumley and Jennie Elizabeth Pilcher Brumley. Janice grew up in cities throughout Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, following her father’s employment in the oil patch.
In 1949 Janice married William Lewis “Bill” Beard, and they enjoyed 62 years of love and companionship together. Bill and Janice welcomed three children, Wanda Kathleen “Kathy” Beard, William Michael “Mike” Beard, and Don Timothy “Tim” Beard; and as the children grew the family spent time camping, fishing, and traveling to visit extended family and to experience the beauty of our country.
Janice had a tremendous work ethic and undertook a variety of vocations during her working years, but her most important job was supporting Bill and raising her children. Throughout her life Janice was very skilled at stretching a penny as far as it could go and saving for a rainy day. She was insatiably curious about the lives of those around her, while Bill was insatiably curious about the world; and they put that curiosity to use by traveling far and wide, both domestically and internationally, with their lifelong friends.
Whether on the road, traveling, or relaxing at home, Janice would have a book close by, as she was an avid reader.
Janice was a faithful member of the North Main Church of Christ in Vidor and continued to support the congregation even though she could no longer attend services in person. Many congregants of North Main Church of Christ became Janice and Bill’s dearest friends and traveling companions.
Janice was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Beard, and her daughter, Kathy Beard; her parents, Amos Don Brumley and Jennie Elizabeth Pilcher; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Don and Nan Brumley and Kenneth and JoAnn Brumley; her sister-in-law, Judy Brumley; her brother-in-law, Thomas Grady “Bud” Beard; and her daughter-in-law, Cheryl Beard.
She is survived by her two sons, Mike Beard and Tim Beard and his wife, Susan; her brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Katrina Brumley; her sister-in-law, Barbara Beard; her grandchildren, Jeff and Vanessa Peno Bennett, Aaron and Kristin Edwards, James and Heather Rogers, Megan Duhon, Matt and Emily Beard, and Jason and Katie Fondrick. Janice is also survived by several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who brought her great
joy and laughter. She is also survived by beloved family members, Bubba, Janet, and Maris Peno.
For the last seven years Janice was able to continue to live in her home due to the kind, attentive, and loving care of Sharon Rye, Janice’s caregiver, companion, and friend. Sharon’s care of Janice was exemplary; and the family is very appreciative of Sharon for helping Janice to spend her last years in the place she most wanted to be, her home.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor, 1750 Texas Highway 12, Vidor, Texas, followed by a memorial service beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the following: North Main Church of Christ, 1460 North Main Street, Vidor, Texas, 77662, or the Vidor Public Library, 440 East Bolivar, Vidor, Texas, 77662.
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