Clarence Malcolm “Mac” Beard of Stuarts Draft died peacefully at home on February 8, 2023.
He was born October 24, 1930, to parents Clarence Withrow Beard and Bertha Elizabeth Swortzel Beard. He grew up
around Waynesboro Nurseries, where his father worked, until their family moved to a farm in Stuarts Draft. Mac
served in the United States Marine Corps. In 1958 he married Ellen Moore McCormick and together they have shared
over 64 years of marriage.
Outside of a short period living in Long Island, New York – they made their home in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
in Harrisonburg and Stuarts Draft. He along with Ellen was founding members of Trinity Presbyterian Church, and he
was an active member of the Ruritan Club for decades in Mount Crawford and later in Stuarts Draft.
Mac made a career with the USDA as a food inspector serving in poultry plants. Upon retirement from that work – he
enjoyed working a newspaper route; delivering prescriptions and other items for local pharmacies; and supporting the
activities of the Ruritans; serving with the Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church food pantry and participating in the
Men’s Bible class.
Of high importance was loving and caring for his family; they were always a concern for him.
He was a quiet and humble man of deep integrity and notable character who worked hard, served well, and cared
deeply. He will certainly be missed.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter Gwen Carrand Ronnie Carr of Waynesboro; Daughter Virginia
“Ginny” Poynter and husband, Dale Poynter of Waynesboro;
grandchildren Michael Poynter, Margaret, Carr, and Jeffery Carr and wife Wendy; great grandchildren, Gabe and Nate,
and sister-in-law Virginia Engleman.
He is also survived by nephews: Paul Floyd, Ken Floyd, John Forbes, Terry Forbes, and H. Flint Engleman; nieces:
Beverly Drell, Sherry Sumerlin, and Martha Theissen as well as friends from throughout his life.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Christine and brother-in-law, Curtis Floyd; brother
Ralph Beard and sister-in-law Margaret “Peggy” Beard; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Sue and Maynard Hockman;
sister-in-law and brother-in-law Martha and Van Forbes; brother-in-law, Hensel Engleman as well as two infant
siblings who died before his birth.
A graveside service is planned for Friday February 10 at 3:30PM at Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery. A
memorial service will be held Sunday February 12 at 3 PM at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to:
Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church Food Pantry in Fishersville, VA,
Trinity, Presbyterian Church, in Harrisonburg VA,
or Mac’s childhood home congregation of Finley Memorial Presbyterian Church in Stuarts Draft Virginia. McDow
Funeral Home