Raleigh Thomas Beard

August 24, 1926 - July 26, 2014

Mr. Raleigh Thomas Beard, age 87 of Columbia, passed away Saturday, July 26, 2014 at Signature Health Care. Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, July 29th at 2:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home, with William Owens officiating. Burial will follow in the family cemetery. The family will visit with friends on Tuesday, July 29th from 11:00 until 2:00 PM. Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of and assisting the family with arrangements. Mr. Beard was born August 24, 1926 in Maury County and was the son of the late Robert Petway Beard and the late Lela Ann Shepherd. Thomas was raised by his grandparents out on Chestnut Ridge. Prior to his retirement Thomas worked as a Security Guard at Guardsmark. Earlier in life he was a truck driver and worked in Timber for Fox Brothers Lumber Co. Well into his retirement he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and wood crafting. He loved teaching his nephews how to drive and fish. Mr. Beard leaves behind to cherish his memory his brother: Luther (Nancy) Beard of Holt, FL; sister: Helen Gandee of Columbia, TN with whom he made his home; several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by maternal grandparents: Tom and Martha Shepherd. Pallbearers will be family, nieces and nephews.