Frances Dudley Beaird

Published 1:04 pm Monday, February 26, 2024

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Frances Dudley Beaird left this world for her heavenly home on February 20, 2024, at the age of 90.

Frances was a member of Fairfax Methodist Church.

Growing up as a young lady in the Valley she enjoyed playing both basketball and softball in her younger years.

Frances loved golf and she loved attending the Masters. Her favorite golfer was Arnold Palmer. Her interests were as varied as they were heartfelt – whether ceramics, creating intricate needlepoint works, or caring for animals.

Her zest for life was demonstrated in her adventurous nature. Before she married “Breezy” she traveled with her future mother-in-law, Ruth Beaird, to Washington State where “Breezy” was stationed in the U.S. military. Needless to say, Mrs. Beaird came back to the Valley alone, Frances and “Breezy” were married, and the rest is history.

She was also an excellent cook known for his famous lemon pound cakes and her chocolate pound cakes.

Yet, it was her role as “gran” that Frances held most dear. She found her greatest joy in supporting her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.

Frances is survived by her children, David Beaird and his wife, Cindy, Terri Blanks and her husband, David; her grandchildren, Holly Todd and her husband, David, Christopher Beaird and his wife, Morgan; and her great-grandchildren, David James Todd, Jr., Anna Caroline Todd, Eleanor Frances Todd, Hattie Rose Beaird, and Elijah River Beaird, sister, Sybil Beaird Crowder, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of extended family members and friends.

 She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Richard “Breezy” Beaird, parents, Robert Durwood Dudley and Mattie Vira Smith Dudley, sister, Helen Smallwood and her husband, Carl “Slug” Smallwood, and a brother-in-law, Charles Crowder.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, February 24th, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. EST in Fairfax Cemetery.   Pastor Chuck Goodwin officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Frances’ memory to the Chattahoochee Humane Society, 3265 Fairfax Bypass, Valley, Alabama 36854 or the Fairfax Methodist Church, 901 Boulevard, Valley, Alabama 36854.