Carol Ratcliff Beard

Carol, age 87, passed to her Heavenly Father and Living, Risen Savior on December 25, 2023.

Carol grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and graduated from University High in 1953. In 1957, Carol received her degree in Elementary Education from Louisiana State University. She was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and served as Vice President and Pledge Trainer for Epsilon Chapter.

While attending the First Baptist Church in Baton Rouge as a pre-teen girl, she met good friend and future husband, Don Ray Beard. They were married in 1957 at the First Baptist Church. They were faithful members there until 1980 when Don Ray made a career change from Elementary Principal and they moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Carol also made a career change from teaching second grade at Highland Elementary and at Southdowns Elementary to becoming a Realtor in Diamondhead, MS. She received many honors during her 15 year Real Estate Career, including several Century 21 Centurion awards.

While living in Diamondhead, Carol and Don Ray were active in several MS Gulf Coast square dance and round dance clubs for more than 10 years.

Carol always enjoyed reading and she continued to do so all of her life. She also enjoyed watching PGA golf and LSU sports on TV with Don Ray.

In August 2005, the 32-foot surge waters of Hurricane Katrina literally engulfed Carol and Don Ray’s waterfront home in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Carol and Don Ray made their home in Havana, FL from then on. They joined the First Baptist Church of Havana.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents Appleton Bonds Ratcliff, Jr., former Director of Louisiana Department of Highways, and Mildred Burford Ratcliff of Baton Rouge.

A graveside funeral service will be held December 28, 2023 at 10am at Woodland Cemetery, Havana, FL with Faith Funeral Home & Crematory of Havana in charge (850-539-4300).

Memorial donations may be sent to First Baptist Church of Havana, P.O. Box 586, Havana, FL 32333. Please specify for the Youth Program. 

Faith Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements (850.539.4300 or www.faithfuneralhome.com).