Armand "Slim" Beard

Armand “Slim” Beard, age 87, of Clinton, MD passed away on July 4, 2014 at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. Armand was born in Baltimore, MD on October 28, 1926 to Grace Loraine Fleming and Oscar Rudolf Jacobson.Slim was raised by his Grandma Allen, growing up in Camp Springs, MD and graduating from Surrattsville High School. After graduating from school he enlisted the United States Navy in 1944. He was trained as an Electricians Mate and served until being honorably discharged in 1950. His active duty service saw him aboard a destroyer escort in the Mediterranean toward the end of WW2, and in the Pacific aboard a light cruiser during the occupation of Japan after the war had ended. He recollected his stories of visiting Hiroshima and the sights he witnessed of the destruction still apparent after Japan had surrendered from the dropping of the first atomic bomb from the B-29 Enola Gay. After being honorably discharged from active duty, Slim worked at IBM, Bell Atlantic prior to them being purchased from Verizon, from where he is also retired. Slim met his wife Betty Sylvester in 1953 where they later married in 1956. They both have resided in Clinton, MD for over 47 years and were faithfully married for 57 years. Slim’s hobbies included collecting and playing “78” records on his victrola and was an accomplished guitar player. He was also fond of, and very rehearsed in the knowledge of sailing ships and their construction. His children recall many nights falling asleep to their father playing his cherished guitar or listening to the many records of Jimmy Rogers, the Carter family and so forth from the records he collected over the years. Slim was the beloved husband of Betty Rose Sylvester Beard. Devoted father of Nina Fillmann (Buddy) of Temple Hills, MD, Laura Simpkins (Wesley) of Mechanicsville, MD, and Edwin Beard (Mary) of Mechanicsville, MD. Loving grandfather of Joshua Adkins, Lucia Simpkins, Lydia Beard, Samuel Beard and David Fillmann.Armand was pre-deceased by his parents. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Armand "Slim" Beard please visit our Sympathy Store.