Obituary

Dorothy Jean Rimes Beard

June 19, 1929 - September 21, 2025

Dorothy Jean Rimes Beard, age 96, passed from her earthly home into the arms of her Savior on September 21, 2025. Known simply as “Dot” to those who loved her, she leaves behind a legacy of love—a life devoted to her family and to her Lord and Savior. Her children and grandchildren remember her as their steadfast “prayer warrior,” a title earned through years of faithful intercession. Through kind words, prayers, and simple stories of God’s faithfulness, she shared His love with everyone around her—touching countless lives, even in her last days. Dot deeply loved her family and church—whether she was cooking from the heart, sewing with care, nurturing her rose garden, or serving the Lord with a joyful, willing heart; Her life was an offering of love and service. Throughout her life, she found strength and peace in her favorite scripture, Psalms 91, a passage she clung to as a source of refuge and comfort. Her family celebrates her long, faithful life.  A life filled with love, purpose, and the goodness of God. In her final days, she spoke tenderly of her love for family and friends, but with a heart full of peace, she longed for the day where she would dwell forever in the presence of her Lord and Savior, and looked forward to the joyful reunion with her sweet Elton and her precious Debbie.

Dorothy was born on June 19, 1929 in Magnolia to Alcus Rimes and Estelle Potts Rimes. She was a faithful member of Salem Baptist Church where she was a devoted member of the Faithful Workers Sunday School Class. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Alice Stovall, Eugene Rimes, Wade Rimes, and Larry Rimes, her husband of 69 years, Elton Beard, and daughter, Debbie Beard Saebo. Survived by her daughters: Blanche Beard Moore and Linda Beard Holmes (Bennie); son-in law, Svein Saebo (Debbie, deceased); grandchildren, Natalie Moore, Carmen Holmes Duncan (Jeff), Monica Moore, Ryan Holmes (Whitney); great-grandchildren, Alexandra Moore, Tate Duncan (Sabra), Reed Duncan, Collin Holmes, Carley Holmes, Anna Claire Holmes; great-great grandson, Roman Rodriguez; sister-in-law, Dutha Beard Keith (Jim).

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 25, 2025 at Hartman-Hughes Funeral Home in Tylertown, Mississippi, from 9:30 am until the service at 11:00 am. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens immediately following the service. Hartman-Hughes Funeral Home is in charge of services. 

Pallbearers are Ryan Bruhl, Charles Brumfield, Roy Ginn, Daniel Carney, Dan Hawn, and Daniel Martin. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to Salem Baptist Church or the Dr. Debbie Beard Saebo Memorial Scholarship Fund. Contributions can be made online at https://dda.msstate.edu/give-now?f=400306, by phone or by check sent to: MSU Foundation, PO Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662)325-7000