Ella Lilly Beard

Ella Lilly Beard entered into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Friday, August 19, 2016, in Abilene, Texas. Born in Hanna, Alberta, Canada on August 22, 1928 to immigrant parents, she met and later married a U.S. Army soldier, the love of her life, Bill Beard. After marriage they settled in Fort Worth. While Bill worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ella took care of the home. Together they raised three children. In 1972, they moved to Abilene and lived "the good life" until Bill's death in 2011. A lifelong Lutheran, much of Ella's activities surrounded the church. Church banners for years were evidence of the Lord's work through Ella to serve Him and the church. She loved to travel and eagerly anticipated each trip. Ella is survived by her son, Larry Beard and his wife Elena from Fredericksburg, Virginia, a daughter, Terry and her husband, John Webb from Granbury, Texas, and another daughter, Linda and her husband Danny Stribling of College Station, Texas. She also leaves behind two sisters, Bertha and Ann who continue to live in Calgary; brothers-in-law, John Beard and his wife Mackey, Bob Beard and his wife Pat, and Don Beard and his wife Bettye; sister-in-law, Geneva Hamman; 7 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Services for Ella will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 21, at Zion Lutheran Church, 2801 Antilley Road in Abilene, officiated by Pastor Clyde Kieschnick. Visitation will be from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the church prior to the service. Entombment will follow on Monday, August 22, at 1:30 p.m. in Elmwood Memorial Park Mausoleum II under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene.