ELLIS M. BEARD

Ellis McSwain Beard, 82, widower of Bobby June Oglesbee Beard, died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at Providence Hospital in Columbia.

Born in Turbeville, he was a son of the late Thomas McSwain Beard and Edith Bateman Beard. Mr. Beard was a U.S. Air Force veteran and was retired from the South Carolina Department of Transportation. He was a member of Sumter Masonic Lodge No. 364.

Surviving are one son, Michael E. Beard and wife, Denise Kocijan, of Oakland Park, Fla.; one daughter, Terrill Beard Allbritton and husband, A.D., of Sumter; two sisters, Virginia Brabham of Rembert and Lucille Taylor of Sumter. He was a very loving and devoted grandfather of three grandchildren, Delanie, Britt and Ried.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Julian Beard.

Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 27, in the chapel of Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home. Burial followed in Evergreen Memorial Park.

The family received friends at the home, 466 Pringle Drive.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210.

Online condolences may be made at www.sumterfunerals.com.

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.