Edward Lee Beard, 80

Edward Lee Beard, 80, of Forest City, passed away Saturday, January 9, 2016.

A native of Rutherford county, he was a son of the late Ralph Beard and Ruth Lancaster Beard. Edward was a long time member of Haynes Memorial Baptist Church and currently a member of Crestview Baptist Church. He retired from Rutherford Hospital after many years of service and was an avid outdoorsman and hunter. The family would like to thank family and friends for your support in recent days.

He is survived by his wife of sixty three years, Martha Henson Beard; a son, Dr. Eddie Beard; a daughter, Elaine Metcalf; a brother, James Beard; sisters, Edythe Seals and Sylvia Putnam; 5 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, William Beard, and a sister, Bertha Bradley.

Funeral services were held at Crestview Baptist Church with Rev. Kevin Rohm officiating. Interment followed in the Mt. Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery. In addition to flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 4600 Park Road, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28209 or Crestview Baptist Church Building Fund, 630 S. Church Street, Forest City, NC 28043.

The Padgett & King Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.