Rachel Murriel Beard

Rachel Murriel Beard, age 89, a resident of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at NHC Columbia.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home with Lisa Hanson officiating. Following the service, she will be laid to rest in Adkison Cemetery. A visitation will also be held on Monday from 12:00 – 2:00 PM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on September 10, 1935, in Williamson County, Tennessee, Rachel was the daughter of the late Simon P. Beard and the late Pauline Thurman Beard. Besides her work as a homemaker, she worked many years as a waitress. She was a devoted member of Loyal Chapel Free Will Baptist Church for many years and more recently attended Uplifted Church in Santa Fe.

Rachel was known for her wonderful sense of humor and her gift for lifting the spirits of those around her. She loved to joke, “cut up,” and make people laugh. Above all, she loved her family deeply and was especially devoted to caring for loved ones during times of illness.

She is survived by her children, Roger Mathews (Donna Sanders) of Pensacola, FL, Gayla Lee of Columbia, TN, grandchildren, Roger L. Mathews, Dustin Whitfield, great grandchildren, Mason Mathews, Tristan Whitfield, great great grandchildren, Ensley Whitfield, Emerson Whitfield, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Richard “Ricky” Whitfield, siblings, Buford Beard, Ernest Beard, Ewing Beard, Frances LJ Beard, Douglas Beard, Thomas Beard, Mike Beard, Doris Beard, and Jewel Wiley, and granddaughter in law, Amy Mathews.

Those serving as pallbearers will be Chad Hanson, Darius Molfetas, Blake Mote, Evan Mote, Tristan Whitfield, and Derrick Mote.