Joyce E. (McMillin) Beard

Joyce E. Beard, 54, of Geneseo, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, August 29, 2016, at her home.  A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 2nd at the Geneseo Evangelical Free Church.  Reverend Steven Palm will officiate.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo.  Visitation will be from 2-7 p.m. on Thursday at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory, Geneseo.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials may be made to the Joyce Beard Educational Fund for her children.

Joyce was born on July 5, 1962, in Moline, IL, the daughter of Charles “Chuck” and Verna (Loy) McMillin.  She graduated from Moline High School.  She was united in marriage to Randy W. Beard on October 11, 1991, in Rock Island, IL.  Joyce owned and operated Curtain Calls by Joyce, which provided window treatments for many clients in the Geneseo and surrounding area. 

Joyce was active in the Geneseo Evangelical Free Church. She was a Sunday school teacher, and a member of Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) - serving as a children’s leader and an administrative leader - in the Moline Day Women’s class. Joyce was instrumental in starting Geneseo Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) and the Mothers in Prayer Group (MIPI) in Geneseo.  She was also a Pathfinders coordinator, AWANA - Cubbies and Girls leader, Girls Bible Study leader for middle and high school girls, and GEFC middle and high school youth group co-leader.  Joyce constantly and continually witnessed to others for Christ.  She was also a GEFC Youth Praise Band groupie.

Joyce volunteered for Kitchen Quarterbacks, booster president for Track & Cross Country, active PTA member at Milikin Elementary school, and Milikin Elementary Junior Achievement to name a few.  She was awarded the Geneseo PTA Lifetime Membership.  Joyce enjoyed sewing, gardening, canning, fishing, antiquing, photography, bird watching, and floating with friends on the water.  Most of all she loved spending time with her family and especially cheering Josh and Bek on at Geneseo sports.

She is survived by her husband, Randy; son, Joshua Beard; daughter, Rebekah Beard; brothers, Tom (Ruth) McMillin, Bill McMillin, Brian (Betty) McMillin, Glen (Lori) McMillin, and Mike (Jennifer) McMillin; sisters, Margaret McMillin, Carolyn Greving, Mary (John) Smith, Laurie (Greg) Carleton, and Debbie (Tom) Castillo; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Jerry McMillin.

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