Donald Eugene Beard, Sr., 86, of Lenoir, passed away, Sunday, November 20, 2022 at UNC Healthcare Blue Ridge.

Born October 20, 1936 in Caldwell County, he was the son of the late Eugene and Mable Icenhour Beard.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Sue Hayes Beard; brother, Wayne Beard; and a granddaughter, Emily Childers.

A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Don had retired from the Post Office. He enjoyed animals, traveling, and watching the Boston Red Sox but he will be mostly remembered for being a loving husband, father and grandfather to his family.

He is survived by his children: Daphne Moore and husband Patrick of Lenoir, NC, LaDonna Hodge of Hickory, NC, and Donald (Donny) Beard, Jr. and wife Amy of Newton, NC; grandchildren: Holly Bradish, Shane Griffin, Megan Poythress, Forrest Childers, Brooke Childers, Landon Beard, Addison Beard, Regan Spizzo and Kylee Spizzo; sister, Lyvonda Robbins and husband Neil Finger of Terrell, NC; and five great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 26, 2022 in the chapel at Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory with the Rev. Sam Craven officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.  Burial will follow the service and receiving in the cemetery at Union Grove Baptist Church in Lenoir.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 300, Boone, NC 28607.

Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory is serving the Beard family.