Mrs. Louise Lyda Beard Heard of Covington, passed away on June 17, 2011 at the age of 97.  She was born the second daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. L.M. Lyda in Walhalla, South Carolina on May 29, 1914, and had been a resident of Newton County for 76 years. Mrs. Heard was a retired bookkeeper, and a loyal and faithful member of Oxford Baptist Church until her health prevented her attendance. She is preceded in death by her two husbands, Robert P. Beard in 1959 and Felton Wilson Head in April 1998; dear step-son, Marine Sgt. Claude B. Beard; dear step-daughter, Leona Beard.

Mrs. Heard is survived by two beloved step-sons, Robert C. Beard of Anderson, California, Ralph Beard and wife, Yolanda Beard of San Antonio, Texas; numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Heard will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2011, 2:00 P.M. at Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, 3134 Floyd Street, Covington, Ga, with Rev. Kevin Wade and Mr. Steve Traylor officiating and interment will follow in Covington City Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home 1 hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to Oxford Baptist Church, P.O. Box 128, Oxford, Georgia, 30054.