Carolyn Sue Beard

Carolyn Sue Beard, 78, of Palestine, IL, died March 12, 2020, at Regional Hospital in Terre Haute, IN. She was born June 22, 1941, the daughter of Elvin "Dink" Jones & Virginia (Fleener) Jones, both of whom preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her half-brother, Robert Leroy Jones. She is survived by her children, Michael & Cindy Beard (Robinson, IL) and Tawnya Carlson (Cary, IL); by her grandchildren, Camron M. & Alyvea Beard, Connor Zachary Carlson, and Jack Brady Carlson; by her step-grandchildren, Wade & Jamie Shimer, Lindsay & Brad Gnade, and Kyle Shimer & Ashley Halston; by her brothers, Jerry R. & Joy Jones and Don & Myra Jones; as well as several nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Sue grew up in Palestine and was a 1959 graduate of Palestine High School. For a number of years, she worked as a candy striper for L.S. Heath for a number of years before finding employment as an accountant with Victor-Dana in Robinson, where she would work over the next 28 years before retiring in 2000. Upon her retirement, she was able to pursue her passion, becoming a massage therapist, opening "The Soothing Touch" studio in her house. Much of her free time found her traveling, and she was able to enjoy trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Boston, and many more alongside those she loved. Her time at home was often spent enjoying the beauty of nature in her garden or masterfully creating beauty with a brush and some paint. Her grandchildren were the light of her life, and she cherished each of them with her whole heart. She also loved her many friends, who will miss spending time with her at the Village Inn, where she was a longtime and beloved staple. Anyone who was blessed to know her could attest to her friendly, kind-hearted nature. This was evidenced by her love of animals, her house being a refuge for neighborhood cats in need of kindness and nourishment. Her house was also "home" to not only her children and her grandchildren, but to their friends as well, Sue being something of an adoptive mother to many throughout her 78 years. Sue Beard was, by all accounts, a generous, selfless soul who was quick to give and slow to judge. Her gentle, loving compassion will forever live on in the hearts of her family and many, many friends. Her loss is proof that life can be the same after a trinket has been lost, but never after the loss of a treasure. A time of visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home with Dave Maxwell officiating. Burial will be in the Palestine Cemetery. In honor of her love of animals, memorial contributions may be made to the Crawford County Humane Society, with envelopes available at the funeral home.