Grace Bearden

Grace Gordy Bearden was called home from this earthly life on February 27, 2014 after suffering from a short but serious illness. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and friend she is remembered for the bounty of nurturing devotion she showered upon her family; the cultivation, training and direction given to her students; for her charity and empathy among friends; and for the abundant love she exhibited to all.
Born in Bartow County in Cassville, Georgia on October 12, 1935, daughter of the late William J. Gordy and the late Jewell Futral Gordy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Coach J.B. Bearden, to whom she married on June 24, 1956; and by her brother, Harold Gordy.
Seventy eight years old at the time of her passing, she is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Shelia and Scott Brown of Moultrie, Georgia; her son Brice Bearden of Calhoun, Georgia; three grandchildren, Charissa McKellar and her husband Charlie; Bonnie Kudela and her husband Geoffrey, all of Moultrie; and Josh Bearden of Calhoun, two sisters, Joan Adams and her husband Dwight and Betty Williamson and her husband Terry; two great grandchildren, Gracie and Gabriel McKellar; as well as a number of nieces and Nephews.
Grace was a 1952 graduate of Cass High School where she was salutatorian of her class and editor of the yearbook staff. In 1956 she graduated with honors from Berry College where she majored in Home Economics. She began her teaching career at Cass Elementary where she taught third grade. Dutifully devoted to her husband of 54 years, J. B. Bearden, she followed him across the state as he pursued his coaching career. During this journey she taught at Carnesville Elementary, Franklin County; Southwest Georgia Academy, Early County; Arlington Elementary, Calhoun County before retiring from Red Bud Elementary, Gordon County in 1993. Spending her formative years at the wheel of her father she became skilled in the art of making pottery.
A member of Belmont Baptist Church in Calhoun, she was a woman of strong Christian faith and loved the Lord Jesus Christ. Loving and serving her family was a passion of first priority with her and she strongly believed that we are put on this earth to help and care for each other. In secular terms she loved pottery and enjoyed good food, travel and nature, especially birds. Reading the paper was a daily ritual and one of the few gifts of time she gave herself.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 2nd at Parnick Jennings Funeral Home in Cartersville, Georgia from 1 – 3 p.m. with funeral services to follow with the Reverend Jeff Hawkins officiating. Interment will follow at Liberty Hill Cemetery in Acworth, Georgia.
Nephews Lowell Adams, Darrell Adams, Douglas Adams and Terry Williamson, Jr.; grand son-in-law Geoffrey Kudela and family friend Clay Stephenson will serve as pallbearers.
Parnick Jennings Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Grace Bearden; please visit www.parnickjenningsfuneral.com to share memories or to leave a condolence message.