Willedra Mershon Beard died peacefully at home on February 15, 2015. The sixth of eight children she was born in Moyers, Oklahoma, to John and Mabel Mershon. She spent much of her childhood in Mena, Arkansas and attended Oklahoma A&M College in Stillwater, graduating with a Secretarial degree. She worked for the Department of Agriculture in Washington D.C. during the War, eventually returning to Oklahoma where she met and married Bernard Beard. They shared 57 years that included three children and five grandchildren, until his death in 2008. She was devoted to family and was like a second mother to her grandchildren, regularly volunteering to babysit, play games, and take them to their many activities. Willedra was especially proud of her Mershon siblings and her Mershon heritage, and she was a past member of the OKC Chapter of the Huguenot Society, where she served as President and numerous other offices. She was an active member and volunteer for many years at The First Unitarian Church. Ledra was an avid reader, and she loved doing the cryptoquote and playing Bridge. She and Bernard shared friends and laughter over the bridge table, and she regularly encouraged others to take up the game. She was artistic and creative, and proper and classy, and smart and giving and fun. She always had a good story to tell, and she added spice to life! She is survived by her sister Katherine Gordon of Westminster MD; her children Virginia (and Doug) Lawrence, Mike Beard, and Janet Beard, all of OKC; her grandchildren Katie Breitschopf, Kristen Conyers, Lauren Beard, Taylor Beard, and William Watson; two great grandchildren and many special nieces and nephews. She will be remembered most for her selfless willingness to be helpful. She truly was "the porch light that was always on". A private memorial and interment will be held at the Hebron Cemetery in Lonoke, Arkansas.