Obituaries | Week of Sept. 14, 2026
Bernard Elijah “Ben” Beaird Jr.
Bernard Elijah “Ben” Beaird Jr. of Roanoke died on Sept. 9, 2026. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his family at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, having battled complications from an accident.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard Beaird Sr. and Audrey Rushton. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Carpenter Beaird; daughter, Emily Beaird Roach (Ken); son, Paul Beaird (Sarah); sister, Janice Beaird Dabbas (Sonny); grandchildren, Abbie Roach, Andrew Roach, Gavin Beaird and Daniel Beaird; and step-grandchildren, Aubree Roach and Ethan Roach.
Born March 27, 1946, in Chambers County, Ben graduated from Chambers County High School in Milltown. He worked for the Alabama Power Company and served honorably in the Army National Guard before owning and operating his own community convenience store for many years. He was a devoted member of Antioch Christian Church in Roanoke.
Ben enjoyed working with his hands, building or tinkering with his tools, caring for the family land on which he was born and playing dominoes with friends. Most of all, he loved being with family. He would often say there was nowhere in the world he would rather be than surrounded by his children and grandchildren, and that his wife Elaine was “the best thing that ever happened” to him. Especially later in life, he invested himself in his church, leading classes, serving and seeking to share with others the grace of God which he had found for himself.
He will be missed by family and friends, even as we trust in the hope of the resurrection through Jesus Christ, his Lord and ours.
A celebration of life service was held at Antioch Congregational Christian Church at on Sept. 12, with Rev. Anthony Herren and Rev. Ken Roach officiating and Quattlebaum Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to be given to either Antioch Congregational Christian Church, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
Funeral services were directed by Davis Memorial Mortuary of Valley.
PHILLIP L. RICHARDSON
Phillip L. Richardson (Phil), 69, of LaFayette passed away on Sept. 4, 2026.
He was born in LaFayette on Nov. 10, 1956, to the late Jack and Reatha Richardson of LaFayette.
Phil is survived by his soulmate of 21 years, Phyllis Windsor; children, Daniele Beal Clark and Scott Beal; stepchildren, Shannon L. Gunter, Thomas (Tra) Gunter and Colton Windsor; siblings, Joyce R. Adams and Jerry (Leigh) Richardson; and 6 nephews.
A memorial service was held on Sept. 13, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. CST at his residence with Brothers Tommy Wilcox and Mike Petrey officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rock Springs Baptist Church or Milltown Baptist Church.
Jeff Jones Funeral Home helped with the arrangements.
