Deborah “Deb” Beard, 45, 309 German St., passed away Sunday, July 23, 2006, at Hamot Medical Center. She was born in Erie, June 6, 1961, daughter of Verna Mae Crosby Beard of Erie and the late Dennis Beard, Jr. A lifelong resident of Erie, she was a Class of 1979 graduate of Strong Vincent High School, where she participated in basketball.

Deborah then enrolled in the University of Indiana of PA, where she majored in math and later attended Triangle Tech, where she received computer science training. She was employed by Teletron as a computer data supervisor and previously worked for Stairways as a resident counselor.

She was a member of Second Baptist Church, where she belonged to the Willing Workers Club. “Deb” enjoyed being with her family and friends and was helpful and friendly to everyone she encountered.

In addition to her mother, she leaves to cherish her memory a niece and nephew whom she helped raise, Joycelyn and Jamie Johnson; two brothers, Dennis Beard, III of Erie, and Rev. Curtis Henderson and his wife, Tori, of Buffalo, N.Y.; a sister, Denise Beard Johnson, of Erie; two God brothers and a God sister, Samad Robinson, of Baltimore, Md., and Kenyatta Howard and Yolanda Hopkins, both of Erie; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Friends may call at the Second Baptist Church, 757 E. 26th St., Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held Thursday at the church at 11 a.m. conducted by Rev. Darrold A. Hobson and Rev. Curtis Henderson. Interment in Lakeside Cemetery. Funeralization by Law Funeral Home, 1861 Buffalo Rd.

Published in the Erie Times-News on 7/25/2006