Arita Mae Beard returned home to her Heavenly Father on June 17, 2018, after a long and brave battle with Parkinson’s disease. 
She married Richard Beard on Jan. 29, 1965, in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. She was a loving wife of 53 years and a wonderful mother to nine children, 31 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Arita was active in the LDS Church and held many callings including Ward Organist, Ward Chorister, Primary Chorister, Relief Society President, and Nursery Leader, among others.
Arita was born the oldest of five children on March 22, 1944, in Wichita, Kansas, to William Elledge Bowers Jr. and Mary Black. She grew up all over the south and southwest, including Huntsville, Alabama; Niceville, Florida; El Paso, Texas; and Alamogordo, New Mexico.
Arita graduated from Alamogordo High School and then went to cosmetology school. She received her B.S. from Brigham Young University, and her Masters of Education from Weber State University.
She was an excellent secretary. She worked for NASA in Washington, D.C. and the Apollo Site in New Mexico, the Agronomy Department at New Mexico State University and Sperry UNIVAC in Salt Lake City. Later, she taught second grade at Grantsville Elementary and Willow Springs Elementary. Later, she was a literacy coach at East Elementary in Tooele, Utah. She loved teaching and loved the children she taught. She strongly believed in the value of learning and education.
Arita devoted her life to her family and spending time with them. She raised her children in several states such as Utah, New Mexico, Alaska, Washington, and Arizona.
Arita traveled with her husband all over the United States and Canada, including a trip to Central America to visit ancient ruins.
Arita enjoyed many different hobbies such as painting, sewing, machine embroidering, macramé, and singing with the Sweet Adelines. She owned a fabric and sewing store for several years with her husband in Alaska.
She is preceded by her parents Elledge and Mary Bowers. She is survived by her husband, Richard Beard of Stansbury Park, Utah, and her nine children: Kevin Beard (Holly) of Nephi, Utah; JoLynn Kindred (Todd) of West Jordan, Utah; Jason Beard (Lynn) of Twin Falls, Idaho; Keith Beard (Megan) of Vernal, Utah; Jeremy Beard (Jolene) of Stockton, Utah; Jerilyn McKeon (Farron) of Kaysville, Utah; Jared Beard (Melissa) of Salem, Oregon; Jaclyn Young (Thomas) of Sitka, Alaska; and Jenalyn Greenwood of Clearwater, Florida. She is also survived by her siblings Elledge Bowers III, Barbara Wilson, Barry Bowers and Reed Bowers.
The viewing will be held from 2:30-3:45 p.m. on Monday, June 25,, 2018 at the Captain’s Island Ward Chapel, 5899 Bayshore Dr., Stansbury Park, Utah. The funeral will be at 4 p.m.