George Lawson Beard, 86, of Lexington, Virginia, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, January 29, 2013.

He was born April 12, 1926, in Amherst County, the son of Joseph Lawson Beard and Luna Cash Beard.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Julia Beard Whitten.

Mr. Beard was a member of the Buena Vista Baptist Church.

He was a farmer, a charter member of the Roseland Rescue Squad in Nelson County, and the Lexington Odd Fellows Lodge.

Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Catherine Pennington Beard; one daughter, Michele Thacker and husband, Kevin, of Lexington; and one brother, Harold Beard, of Richmond; and two grandchildren; Julia Elizabeth Hostetter and Daniel Lawson Thacker.

Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, February 1, 2013, at Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Bryon LePere and the Rev. David Bain. Burial will follow at the Timber Ridge ARP Cemetery in Lexington.

The family will receive friends 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, January 31, 2013, at Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Buena Vista.