Mary Beaird

Mary Belle Turner was born June 18, 1932 in Groveton, Texas. Her childhood years were spent in Lufkin, Texas and she graduated from Lufkin High School. She met Elton Beaird on a blind date thinking that her date was with one of his younger brothers. Mary Belle and Elton later married on June 17, 1950, at Calvary Baptist Church in Lufkin, Texas which would span a 68-1/2 year love affair. Before settling in Caldwell, they lived in Lufkin, San Antonio and Austin, Texas. They also lived in Marietta, Georgia. Mary Belle spent many of her years working inside the home as a homemaker, wife and mother. She also had other jobs through the years working at a bank, as an elevator operator, an interior designer for Montgomery Wards and she finished up her working career working with her husband at Cen-Tex Door & Frame, Inc. in Austin, Texas.

Mary Belle had many hobbies that involved her creative side. She was quite the cook and known for her gravy and exceptional peanut brittle. She loved sweets, especially cashews and chocolate! Baking, sewing, serving the Lord, studying the Bible, praying, and meeting needs of other people were all things she loved to do. Hat maker, bargain shopper, costume designer, and seamstress were all talents that Belle possessed. She would even make doll clothes, doll furniture and business suits. Quilting, her love of denim, and sewing occupied much of her free time. Belle and Elton also participated in a square-dancing group in San Antonio and she made their square-dancing outfits. She was also a bargain shopper and if she saw something she really wanted in a store or magazine, she would simply sketch and sew it, and the finished product would mirror exactly what she saw. She was industrious in making her children clothes, costumes and hats.

She and her husband, Elton traveled to many places around the United States and the world. Some of those special times were in and out of the USA, Europe and Asia. One place she always wanted to travel to but didn’t make it was the Holy Lands. She enjoyed camping at Inks Lake, Garner State Park and Camp Warnecke. Another love of Mary Belle’s was going to the beach. She loved Galveston and camped there many summers with her sister Jean. Mary Belle never learned to swim and was afraid of the water. She made sure her children knew how to swim by enrolling them in swim lessons each summer. She wanted to learn so badly that she enrolled multiple times in classes but never succeeded. This fear never kept her from enjoying water activities with her family.

Mary Belle started going to church as a young girl and had a desire to be at church even if it meant walking there on her own. As a mother, she made sure her children were in church and grew up knowing the Lord. Belle devoted her life to serve Jesus and glorify Him. Even in the late stages of her battle with dementia she would pray beautiful prayers. She was in many prayer groups and Bible studies over the years. She belonged to the Birthday Club and the Card Ministry at Cornerstone Church in Austin, Texas. Not only did Mary Belle tithe money but she also offered her home to those in need of a place to stay, or a place at her dinner table. She helped others financially, supporting them to help recover from setbacks in life.

Mary Belle adored and loved all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She took them on “bear hunts” through the alligator swamps at a local park close to her home in Austin. She played extensively with them. One of her favorite things to do was “play the piano” on their stomachs which presented many, many giggles. She loved playing hide-and-seek, and dress up with them. Before her sight started deteriorating, she loved reading to them.

Later in life, Mary Belle developed macular degeneration and suffered a tremendous loss of sight in her eyes. She also developed Dementia and Alzheimer’s and battled fiercely up until the time of her death. She was a very tough, strong woman. In the late stages of this battle, she was extremely blessed with numerous caregivers outside of family who became like family. These remarkable, selfless, and loving individuals include Marie Shivers, Dawn Clayton, Lashanna Dickerson, Mauriette Shivers, Yolanda Wright, Quindesha Brown, Cassandra Langham, and Doris Price. The family’s sincere appreciation to these individuals also extends to Dr. Kristel Luebner of Healthpoint, Hospice/Encompass Health and to the employees of the Swing Bed Unit at CHI St. Joseph Hospital in Caldwell for their outstanding hospitality and exceptional care.

Mary Belle was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Henry Turner, Jr., Dan Turner; sisters, Jean Villarreal, Jo Schymanski Muzette; and grandson Christopher Ryan Bertelson.

Mary Belle is survived by her husband, Elton “Red” Gerald Beaird of Caldwell; son, Richard Gayle Beaird of Austin; daughters and son-in-law, April Pinales of Caldwell, Sherri & Jeffrey Bertelsen of Coldspring, Bonnie Loehr of Caldwell; grandchildren, Jason Bertelsen, Sarah White, Ashley Pinales, Lindsey Loehr, Lauren Loehr; great grandchildren, Ava Bertelsen, Macy Browning, Wyatt Browing, Burke White, Lawsen White, Justin Bertelsen, Logan Bertelsen, Parker Graves, Noah Powell, Eric Coker, whom she babysat for many years and loved as a grandson; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Jason Bertelsen, Gary Clayton, Landon Couch, Gerald Loehr, Timothy Loehr and Boone White.