Paul Ray Beard

Our beloved Paul Ray Beard departed this life on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the blessed age of 63 years. He is the son of Gladys Beard-King, born on Monday, June 25, 1962, in Brookhaven, Mississippi. Paul was our highly regarded husband, father, stepfather, son, brother, uncle and cousin.

Paul attended J. W. Sexton High School where he graduated from in 1982. Growing up he was a member of Christ Temple Church where he was baptized in his younger years. In addition, Paul was a long-time employee of the oil change businesses in Lansing. He loved to fish, travel and have bonfires with his family and friends, and was always smiling. And lastly, but certainly not least, Paul was an avid MSU Fan!

Paul leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Jennifer Beard, Lansing, Michigan; father, Mose Benson, Jr.; son, Paul Ray Beard, Jr. “Ray Ray”; stepchildren, Jason (Nakea) Asarian, Jimmy Tefft and Jaden Moore; grandchildren, Arianna, Rayanna, Isiah, Alexis, Traè, Mason, Bryson and Durane; mother, Gladys Beard-King; sister, Tonya (Alan) Griffin; brothers, Raymond Earl Beard, Melvin and David Benson and Trawick (Theresa) King; mother- and-father-in-law, Mark and Betty Asarian; sisters-in-law, Marcie Howell and Amie Asarian; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, including special friend, Sam McGhee – where he was raiding Uncle Sam’s garden for green tomatoes.

Paul was preceded in death by grandparents, Herman (Zeola) Beard; stepfather, Miles King, Jr. (Sonny), aunts, Mary Helen Swafford and Vanessa Jean Beard, and uncle, Wardell Beard, along with seven other cousins and 2 second cousins.

The family would like to express special thanks to University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Cancer Center doctors and nurses; Abigail Hospice Center, Nurse Tiffany and Chaplain DJ.