Jo-Ann Beard

Jo-Ann Beard, affectionately known as "Jo-Jo" was born on July 12, 1955, in Wilmington, DE to the late Deacon Joseph and Deaconess Lillian M. Beard. She was called to eternal rest on Monday, January 17, 2022.

Jo-Ann received her early education from the Wilmington Public School System and was a member of the Howard High School Class of '73. During high-school family and friends began to affectionately call her "Jo-Jo" and that name followed her for the rest of her life. Jo-Ann was a member of Howard's Wildcat cheerleading squad. She received her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Goldey-Beacom College. After receiving her degree, she went on to work for DuPont. Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the City of Wilmington, where she gained many friends and colleagues.

Jo-Ann was a life-long, faithful member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Lewis Johnson and then Rev. Gilbert S. Hamm Sr. Up until her illness, she was a proud member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church Usher's Unit for over 30 years. Jo-Ann took her responsibility as a Doorkeeper for the Lord's house very seriously. There was never a Saturday evening where you wouldn't find her uniform hanging from her door, nicely pressed and her white shoes, gloves, sweater, and usher's badge just a few feet away. Jo-Ann had an usher's march that was truly her own, where she had one arm behind her back, the other arm graciously swinging from one side to the other and a bright smile on her face. Years ago, you could find her on post at the sanctuary doors, praising GOD as the choir sang and her oldest sister, Quinetta directed the Sanctuary Choir in song. Jo-Ann accepted the role as the Supervisor of the Ebenezer Baptist Youth and Junior Ushers in the early 2000's. The youth of Ebenezer were her pride and joy and she instilled into each of them the spiritual responsibilities and values of what an usher should be. She was affectionately called "Aunt Jo-Jo" by them. If you ever wanted to see her at a proud moment, you simply had to see her lining up the young ushers to march around the church for the offering. She would stand attentively watching as they returned to the back of the church to join her.

Jo-Ann was loved by everyone in her family. She always had an uplifting spirit and was always happy about everything. You could give Jo-Ann a card, and she made you think it was a million dollars, you could call her out of the blue and she would make you feel as if it was the best call she ever received, or she could simply be with her family and she made it feel like a celebration. She just had a way of making everyone feel special. If you shared any accomplishment with her, it was nothing for her to break out crying because she would be just that proud of you. Jo-Ann was a true giver of all things. Her love, generosity, kindness and caring spirit is who God called her to be.

Jo-Ann had a love for snacks and candy!!!! She had snacks and candy everywhere. If she would be away from the house for a few hours, you could be assured she had a bacon and egg sandwich, a ham and cheese sandwich or a piece of fried chicken wrapped in aluminum foil and tucked securely in her purse. And you could not leave the house without her asking if you wanted something to eat, a soda or of course, some candy. Now, let's talk about the candy!!! There was NEVER a time since Jo-Ann was a young girl that she did not have candy. When she was young, she would have so much candy stashed in her bedroom that she could have opened a candy store. As she grew older, her house and purse stayed full of the ‘good candy' and was readily available to anyone. As a special treat, if she knew your favorite candy, she made sure she always picked some up for you.

Though Jo-Ann loved to eat her snacks and sweets, you rarely found her without her bright red lipstick that was always intact. She made sure she reapplied the lipstick throughout the day, even if she never stepped foot out of the house.

One of Jo-Jo's favorite pastimes was watching her soap operas but following retirement, she really found joy in talking on the telephone with some of her favorite people. She would spend time on the phone laughing for hours with her best friend, Carol McBride, her "cuz-sister" Robin and her cousin, Joyce. She also made sure to take a call from her goddaughter, Bria when she finished her midnight shifts and to answer the daily calls, she would receive from her brother Mike to check in on her.

Jo-Ann was predeceased by her parents, Deacon Joseph and Deaconess Lillian Beard, her sister, Dr. Quinetta Penn, her nephew, Brandon Beard and 2 nieces, Monique Beard and Keyona Wilmer.


Jo-Ann leaves to cherish her memories 4 brothers, Jeff Beard of New York, New York, Steven Beard, Gregory Beard and Michael Beard all of Wilmington, DE; her "baby-sis" Lillian Michelle (Shelley) Nix, Newark, DE; 11 nieces, Patrice, Andrea, Kendra, Angel, Janai, Cierra, Monet, Alyssa, Bria, Maya, and Brionna; 4 nephews, Jermaine, Quinton, Brandon, and Miles; 23 great-nieces and nephews. Three uncles, William Beard, Mt. Vernon, NY, Nelson (Sonny) Beard, Canyon Lake. TX, and Michael Beard, Atlanta, GA; two aunts, Bervay Lee Carter, Denmark, SC and Josephine Beard, Canyon Lake Tx; Two Goddaughters, Alisha Holden and Bria Marie Nix; Devoted cousins, Robin Pendergrass, Joyce Holden, and Karen Stanford; Best friend, Carol McBride, Spiritual Mother, Deaconess Lillian McBride; Spiritual brother and sister, Minister Lawrence and Victoria Waddell, Special Spiritual sisters; Diane Johnson, Shana Johnson, Alethia Patton, Beanie Cunningham, Melva Lane, Dannette Mitchell, Arlene Eaddy-Beard; her Ebenezer Baptist Church Family and Members of the Usher's Ministry and a host of additional family and friends.


Zoom Live Stream Details

When: Jan 30, 2022 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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Public Viewing


JAN 30. 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (ET)

Ebenezer Baptist Church
2200 N. Claymont Street
Wilmington, DE 19802

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Celebration of Life


JAN 30. 4:00 PM (ET)

Ebenezer Baptist Church
2200 N. Claymont Street
Wilmington, DE 19802

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Graveside Service


JAN 31. 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM (ET)

Gracelawn Memorial Park
2220 North Dupont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720

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