Joyce (Martin) Beard

Joyce Martin Beard, 90, of Wilmington, North Carolina passed away April 10, 2026 at her residence.  Her husband of 67 years, James Bradley Beard, DO, preceded her in death.  They were married June 8, 1957 at Kumler Chapel in Oxford Ohio. 

She was born on September 3, 1935 in Dayton, Ohio, daughter of the late Russell Andrew Martin and Marcia Rebecca Dumford Martin.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in 1957 and her Master of Education in 1961; both from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Mrs. Beard taught business, accounting, typing, and shorthand at the high school level in Ohio and Texas, and the college level at Wright State University.  She was also a high school guidance counselor and business manager for her husband’s radiology practice.

Mrs. Beard received the 2005 “Golden Violet” award for 50 years of service to Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, Miami University chapter.  She was a board member of the Round Table and Women’s Club of Fort Worth, Texas.  She was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Women of America Award in 1970.  She placed 2nd nationally while serving as president of Pi Omega Pi, Business Education Honorary; and was the recipient of the highest honors on the Dean’s List at Miami University.

She is survived by her daughters, Lois Beard Martin, D.O. and Lisa Marie Beard Ballantine, J.D. and her husband, Patrick James Ballantine, J.D. and North Carolina State Senator, retired.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Amanda Monique Martin Brown and her husband, Austin Brown, Alaina Surret Martin, Wilker Marie Ballantine Yeargan and her husband, Fisher Yeargan, and Augustus James Ballantine; nephew, Daniel Charles Martin, his wife Kim, and their children, Ryan Martin and Amanda Martin.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Charles Russell Martin and Marie Martin; and brother-in-law, Robert Gordon Beard.

A graveside service with Pastor Virgil Hawkins officiating will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, May 7, 2026 at Clarksville Cemetery, Clarksville, Ohio where she will be interred beside her parents.

Smith Funeral Home in Wilmington, Ohio is serving the family.  For more information or to leave a note of condolence visit www.smithandsonfuneralhomes.com.

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