CAT Tracks for August 31, 2010 SAD NEWS

Have received word from more than one source that Marcus Beard has passed away, apparently from a heart attack. Marcus graduated from Cairo High School in 1995. His mother, Leodora, retired a few years back after teaching in the Cairo public Schools (Bennett Elementary) for over 30 years.

Our condolences to Ledora and the family...

Posted online on September 4, 2010...

Marcus Beard

CAIRO -- Marcus Garvey Beard, 33, of Fairview Heights, formerly of Cairo, died Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010, of an apparent heart attack.

He was born Aug. 21, 1977, in Cape Girardeau to the late Wilbert Beard Jr. and Ledora Beard of Fairview Heights. He was a graduate of Cairo High School class of 1995.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by two daughters, Ariel Beard of Mound City and Natalie Beard of Fairview Heights; three sisters, Angela Baldwin of Atlanta, Omonpee and Ronald Petcoff of Arlington, Texas, and Sonya and Ralph Adrian of Scott Air Force Base; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Services will be at noon today in First Missionary Baptist Church in Cairo, with Pastor Jimmy Ellis and the Rev. Darryl K. Cox officiating. Interment will be in Spencer Heights Cemetery in Mounds. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour today at the church.

Williams Funeral Home of Charleston, Mo., is in charge of arrangements.