Gerald Keith Beaird, age 83, also known as Pop and Poppa by his grandchildren and Sweetie by his wife, met his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 10, 2024. Visitation will be Monday, September 23, 2024, from 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm at Lowndes Funeral Home and Crematory. Services will follow in the chapel with Pastor Brandon Allen officiating. The interment will immediately follow at Memorial Gardens of Columbus, MS, with military honors.

Keith was born August 11, 1941, in Greenville, MS, to the late Wiley Franklin Beaird and Mavis Mildred Beaird Tullos. He is also preceded in death by his stepfather A.J. Tullos and brother Monroe Franklin Beaird. Keith was a graduate of Jackson High School, Jackson, MS. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Army. After serving his country, he returned home and continued his education at Mississippi State University, where he earned a Specialist Degree. Following graduation, he taught school for a number of years in Mississippi. After retiring from the school system, he began working for Weyerhaeuser Pulp and Paper, Columbus, MS, as a utilities technician until his retirement in July 2005. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Shriners, and York Rights.

Keith was a devout Christian and a member of Mt. Vernon Church in the New Hope Community. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting with his children, grandchildren, and friends. Keith loved the beach and treasured moments there with his family. He enjoyed farming in addition to working cattle.

He was a quiet, soft-spoken man and never spoke negative words against another. He was a gentle and loving husband, father, and Poppa. He was a "die hard" Mississippi State fan and loved attending as many games as possible with his family. You rarely saw him without a Mississippi State bulldog shirt or his hat. He met and married Pauline, the love of his life, and was happily married for over 55 years. Keith is survived by his wife Pauline, Columbus, MS, daughter, Angela Kim Howe (John), Columbus, MS, son, Jason Keith Beaird (Jessica), Columbus, MS, Grandchildren, William Chandler Craig (Jordan Hinders), Memphis, TN, Brennan Keith Beaird, Warren Braiden Beaird, and Brett James Beaird, Columbus, MS. Keith is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Beverly Beaird, Brooksville, MS, Mary Johnson of Shuqualak, MS, brother-in-law Buddy Robinson, Dekalb, MS, and numerous of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers: John Howe, Jordan Hinders, Phillip Hill, Kevin Robinson, Jeff Chism, and Wesley White. Honorary Pallbearers: Co-workers of former Weyerhaeuser Pulp and Paper, Gentiva Hospice of Starkville, MS with special thanks to Abby Johnson (his nurse), Gentiva staff of Oxford, MS, Comforcare of Columbus, MS, Tuscaloosa Alabama Veteran Affairs Home based program especially Haley Rhudy, RN, Madisyn Aaron, Social Worker, Dayna Strickland, Pharmacist and Dr. Motley. Thanks to Cancer Care Center of Starkville, MS, Melinda Clark, ACNP.

Special thanks to Tammie Brandon who was such a compassionate caregiver to Keith for a number of years, she really knew how to care for an Alzheimer patient.

Memorials may be made to Azheimer's Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 16th floor, New York, NY 10001 or Mt. Vernon Church, 200 Mt. Vernon Rd., Columbus, MS 39702.