Joey Ronald Beard, age 63, of East Dublin, died on August 24, 2021, at Community Hospice of Vidalia.

Joey was a 1978 graduate of East Laurens High School and also attended Dublin High School. While attending Dublin High, Joey was #76 on the football team and was inducted in 2019 into the Dublin Football Hall of Fame. He was also on the wrestling team for Dublin and was called "War Eagle" by many.

Joey was a veteran of the United States Navy, joining in 1978 and serving until 1986. He attended Service School Command in Orlando, Florida, and served on the USS John Kennedy, US Bowen, the California, and Josephus Daniels.  He also loved coaching youth sports in Opelika, AL in his younger years.  He attended the Faith Christian Assembly of East Dublin and enjoyed fishing, and reading.

Mr. Beard was preceded in death by his mother, June Darsey; step-father, G.W. Darsey; father, Stanford E. Reese, Jr.; sister, Julie Bears Acree; grandparents, Ronald and Sara Myers, Harold and Meda Alderman, and Stanford and Gladys, Reese, Sr.

Survivors include his siblings: Jan Turner of Dublin, Jay Reese (Debbie) of Minter, Joanette Savage (Joey) of Dexter, Jenny Hobbs of East Dublin, Michael Beard (Wanda) of Opelika, AL, Christine Barron (David) of Silver Hill, AL, and Donna Smith of Dexter; son, Joseph Drew Beard of Adrian; grandson, Levi Graham Beard, who "Papa Joe" dearly love; special dear friends, Deanna Hodges and Randy Fordham of East Dublin, and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will gather at a later date for a celebration of Joey's life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are encouraged to the Community Hospice of Vidalia.