Margaret Ann Dusenberry Beard, age 93, of Anderson, passed away on Monday, May 2, 2016 at NHC of Anderson. Born on August 19, 1922 in Due West, SC, she was the daughter of the late George Reid and Evalina Radcliffe Dusenberry. Margaret grew up on a farm in Due West. For sixty-six years, she was the loving and devoted wife of the late Dr. Joseph Roderick Beard until his death in 2010. Mrs. Beard graduated Valedictorian of her class at Dixie High School in Due West, and was also Valedictorian of her graduating class at Erskine College where she received a BA degree in Mathematics and English. During WW II, she worked as a mathematician at Aberdeen, Maryland Proving Grounds. After her marriage, she began her lifelong journey of being a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a faithful member of Young Memorial A.R.P. Church in Anderson where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and was a long time member of the Flora Halliday Circle. She was honored with the Flora Halliday Award given for unselfish service to the Church. Margaret enjoyed decorating her home and church for special occasions and was a gracious hostess who opened her home willingly to others. She enjoyed a love for music for many years. Having played French horn, bass violin, and piano, she often entertained her children and grandchildren at the piano bench with music and singing. Survivors include a son, Joseph Roderick "Rick" Beard, Jr. (Julie) of Alpharetta, GA; five daughters, Ellen Martin (Skeet) of Greenville, SC, Ann Shahid (Ron) of Ridgeville, SC, Cherrie Sneed (Dan) of Meggett, SC, Ruth Boetsch (Gary) of Fort Mill, SC, and June Copeland (Brent) of Anderson; a brother, Francis Clarence Dusenberry of Hampton, VA; a sister-in-law, Peggy Beard Murdock, Rock Hill, SC; eight grandchildren, Will Sneed (Jill), Page Martin Mathias (Greg), Louis Martin (Janell), Eric Boetsch (Kelley), John Boetsch (Catherine), Daniel Shahid, Brent Copeland, Jr., and Maisie Copeland Hall (Andrew); also surviving are fourteen great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and her husband, Joseph, Mrs. Beard was preceded in death by a brother, George Reid Dusenberry, Jr.; three sisters, Katherine Daniel, Virginia Dean, Sophie Meadors; and two grandchildren, John Meador Sneed and Laurel Marie Copeland. A Memorial Service to celebrate and honor the life of Margaret Beard will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2016, at 10 a.m. at Young Memorial A.R.P. Church, with the Reverend Doctor L. Thomas Richie officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the Rainey Room at Young Memorial. Interment will follow at 4 p.m. at Huntersville A.R.P. Church Cemetery, Huntersville, NC. The family wishes to thank the staff of Summer House, Brookdale Anderson, the staff of NHC Anderson Station 6, and CARIS Hospice for the loving care shown Mrs. Beard during her residency. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Beard may be made to Young Memorial A.R.P. Church, 508 Boulevard, Anderson, SC 29621; or to MUSC Foundation: John Meador Sneed Memorial Dental Scholarship Fund, 18 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29425. A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com. The McDougald Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Anderson. Events Funeral Service Saturday, June 4, 2016 10:00AM Young Memorial ARP Church 508 Boulevard Anderson, SC 29621 Phone: 864-226-2484