Norma Beard

Norma Louise Waite Beard

January 24, 1936-November 2, 2024

Former Jackson Mayor Norma Waite Beard passed away on November 2, 2024, at her home in Jackson. Born on January 24,1936 in Souwilpa and raised in Gilbertown, she lived in Jackson since 1964.

Mayor Beard served three terms as head of the city from 1988-2000. During her tenure, she worked tirelessly on community development to bring new industry to Jackson and projects to beautify the town. She remained committed to improving the schools and recreational facilities for the town's young people. She was unwavering in her love, support and vision for Jackson.

Married to Dr. Bobby R. Beard since 1955, Mayor Beard was a loving and devoted wife and mother. Her sons, Stanley and Kerry, remember their mother always being at every school, sports and church activity in which they were involved. While active in civic and community work throughout her life, Mayor Beard didn't enter politics until the boys left for college.

Her long list of accolades include being president of PRIDE Council, past president of Alabama Dental Auxiliary, member of Alabama's Keep America Beautiful steering committee, Jackson Academy Board of Directors, Jackson Chamber of Commerce member, Jackson Public Library Board of Directors, Four Seasons Garden Club president and a long-time member of the Jackson Woman's Club.

Based on her many achievements, she was nominated to the Outstanding Young Women of America in 1972. While her husband attended the UAB School of Dentistry she was active in the Student Wives Auxiliary and served as social chair for Psi Omega Auxiliary.

In addition, Mayor Beard was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Jackson where she taught Sunday School and helped with Vacation Bible School for many years.

Affectionately known as "Mimi" to her grandchildren, extended family and friends, Mayor Beard is survived by her beloved husband Bobby of 69 years; sons Dr. Stanley Beard (wife Marsha) of Jackson and Kerry Beard (wife Jill) of Point Clear; grandchildren Dent Beard (wife Kayla), Tyler, Kade and Kali Beard, and William Taylor; great-grandchildren Blaise and Stanton Beard; sister Clariece Sparrow of Butler; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Denton Thomas and Mabel Taylor Waite, brother Gerald "Curly" Waite and sister Ann Beard.

Among the children and grandchildren's favorite memories with Mimi are the weeks spent in summer at the family beach home in Fort Morgan, as well as holidays at her home. She especially loved Christmas and Easter, when she went all out to spoil the family. While the menu might change, a constant was the "green stuff" and for her only granddaughter - chocolate. The grandsons lovingly reminisce about matching Christmas gifts and always having an apple and orange in their stockings, while Stan and Kerry can still properly set a formal table as taught by their mother. Everyone in the family laughs about the white living room carpet and the year when they had to move all gifts beneath the tree to another room to avoid "messing up the carpet."

Along with talking politics around the dinner table, the lifelong Crimson Tide fan also loved talking football, baseball and all other Bama sports.

Donations may be made in memory of Norma Waite Beard to the First Baptist Church of Jackson, the American Diabetes Association or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.

Pallbearers will be Dent Beard, Tyler Beard, Kade Beard, Jacob Brown, Scott Faust, Dan Sparrow, William Taylor. Honorary Pallbearers will be Deloris Fleming, Barbara Hundley, Betty Jo Wilson, Linda Breedlove, Fred & Gloria Huggins, Harvey & Francis Little, Arlin & Geneva York, Joe Dubose, Billy & Paula Griffin, Bill & Marion Hern, Sam & Virgina Hughston, Betty Powell, Tena Outlaw McKinley, Jess Miller, Cathy Constantino, Bill Taylor, and Trey Oliver.