Bertha Mae Beard-Goyson

It was written in Ecclesiastes that the dust returns to the ground from which it came, and the spirit returns to the GOD who gave it. Death is not the end. On Tuesday, December 22, 2020, in the home of her daughter, “Bert” journey from time to eternity was set in motion.

On Tuesday, December 22, 2020, God the Creator summoned for His angel, Bertha Mae Beard Goyson, to come home to the place that He had prepared in His Heavenly Kingdom. On March 11, 1959, Bertha Mae “Bert” was born to Leroy Gilbert and Mary Beard in Camden, Arkansas. She was full of life and she was a leader of the crowd. Bert possessed such a warm spirit that would brighten anyone she encountered. She accepted Christ at an early age. She attended New Haven Baptist Church for many, many, years. Through her journey Bertha Mae desired to serve the Lord in any Capacity that she could. In January she united with Victory Bible Church under the leadership of Apostle Ruby and Robert Green.

Bert enjoyed decorating, cooking, cleaning, and playing cards. She enjoyed dancing, listen to blues, and hanging out with her friends and family. Highlights of her life were spent surrounded by her children, grandchildren’s, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Michael Beard, and granddaughter Ta’Mariana Goyson.

Although she is no longer with us in body, and her loving presence will be deeply missed. Her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of her children: Monika Zentaras Goyson, Brandy Celena Kendrick, Bridgette Cecilin’ Carter, and Ulysses Eugene Carroll all of Camden, AR. Special Daughter Nikita Abdullah-Donohoo and Bridget Green. Her siblings; Douglas(Ann)Beard of Camden, AR, Lanita Howard of KAnsas City, MO, Jarvis Beard of Durham, NC, Anthony Beard of Fort Smith, AR, Shirley Beard of Chesapeake, VA and Zachary Beard of Beaumont, TX; Eight grandchildren; Xavier Davis, Tyrese Henry, Marcina Carter, Zintiara Carroll,  Carlton Henry, Jr. D’Torriond Gordon, Na’Jyrae Gordon, and Christian Kendrick. Special Friends: Joyce Campbell, Mary Ann Howard, Cassandra Holmes Moore, Linda Thompson. Patty Jo Bradford/ A Special Cousin Patricia Ann Laster, Special Niece and Nephews Artavia Beard, MeKhi Seals and Kyrie Bivens Friend Sonya Thrower a host of nieces, nephews, friends and special loved ones.

“Bert” was a very special and blessed woman; she was diagnosed with Lung Cancer only later beat that diagnosis and had been cancer free for a few months only for it to spread to her right hip. During her time on earth, she was faced with many obstacles, but she never gave up, she kept pushing until she took her last breath and her earthly body had given out. In her healthier days, “Bert” was the life of any party, keeping people laughing and smiling, and to his children, she was the best cook there was. She loved her family and always wanted to see them happy, that is why we cannot mourn for her, we must be mindful that she is not suffering, nor is she in any more pain. “Bert” has taken her rightful Angel wings, so let us rejoice that her soul is now with the LORD.

Submitted by the Family

Public visitation will be held on Saturday, December 26, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home Van Buren, 119 Van Buren Street, Camden. A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 27, 2020 at True Word South, 251 Madison Ave NE, Camden with Pastor Rory Green, officiating. Interment will be Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Chidester under the direction of Williams Funeral Home Van Buren.

Active pallbearers will be Deon Sullivan, D’Torriond Gordon, Daniel Hicks, Tyrese Henry, Jamal Hopson, Tremaine Carroll, Di Morgan and Daryl Strickland. Honorary pallbearers will be Zachary Beard, Carlton Henry Jr., Michael Beard and Stephen Williams.