Neva Merle Roach Beard was born in Deport, Texas, on January 26, 1924, and passed away peacefully on August 26, 2020 in Houston, Texas. A lifelong resident of Paris, Texas, she had resided in Houston since her husband’s death in 2006. Merle was a wonderful giving mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Merle found her greatest joy and happiness in her life with her family.

Merle was preceded in death by her mother, Gertrude Ragsdale Roach, and her father Earl Roach; her husband, Ralph Eugene Beard; sisters, Anna Margaret Dickson and Helen Woodard.

She is survived by her sons, Walter Beard (Christi) and Richard Beard (Maudie); and her grandchildren Jennifer Leigh Beard, Laura Anne Beard, Walter Beard, Jr., William Ellsworth Lee Beard, Richard Bradley Beard, Jr. (Lindsey), Adelaide Fondren Beard, William Dorey Beard, David Burton Stocker, Jr. (Jodie) and Benjamin Laird Stocker (Rachel); and five great grandchildren.

A memorial service arranged by Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home will be held at the pavilion at Evergreen Cemetery, Paris, Texas, at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 4, 2020.