Joseph Hayward (Joe) Bearden, age 80, of Valley Grande, AL passed away November 6, 2008. Surviving are his wife of 60 wonderful, caring years, Edna Ousley Bearden; two daughters, Judy B. (John) Newberry of Marion, Jct., AL and Nancy B. (Gerald) Cathey of Madison, GA; one son, William Joseph Bearden of Valley Grande, AL; one granddaughter, Norma Q. (Jimmy) Johnson; four grandsons, Bart and Jed Cathey of Madison, GA and Winston and Jamie Bearden of Valley Grande, AL; one great-grandson, Landon Johnson; five sisters, Eliese Latham of Bessemer, AL, Louise B. Twilley Ozbolt of Trussville, AL, Nell (Noodie) Carroll of Plantersville, AL, Shirley (Clyde) Kendrick and Clara Baskin of Trussville, AL; sisters-in-law, Lula Dee Bearden of Plantersville, AL, Pauline O. Mills of Pelham, AL and Della Ruth O. Johnson of Gainesville, GA and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his only brother, W. O. Bearden of Plantersville, AL.
Funeral services will be Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 2:30 at North-side Baptist Church with Dr. Kenny Hatcher officiating. Interment will be in Pineview Memory Gardens with Selma Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1-2:30 p.m. at the church.
Pallbearers will be deacons from Northside Baptist Church. Honorary pallbearers will be the Harmony Sunday School Class at Northside Baptist Church.
Joe was born in Perry County, AL to the late Willie B. and Lillian Friday Bearden on June 20, 1928. He moved to Dallas County after serving in the U. S. Air Force with the Occupational Forces in Japan at the end of World War II.
He lost a four and one-half year, hard fought battle with cancer. Until the last few weeks, he enjoyed some time each day among his little garden and caring for his big yard. The yard was his hobby. “My pride and joy,” he would always say. Joe spent 53 years with Meyer Shoe Co, He began in 1951 as a sales-man and with love and concern for his customers, always making sure of a “proper fit,” he worked himself up to Vice President and General Manager and in 1975 became the owner.
All three of his children and his wife worked for him at different times during those years. He liked having his family as his employees. His other employees were “the best in the world,” he said many times. Many of them came to work as young adults and worked until retirement age. He was very considerate of his employees.
Joe took his son, Joseph, as his partner in the business the last 20 years. Due to bad health, Joe and Joseph, along with daughter, Judy, who had been his bookkeeper and sales lady for many years, decided to close Meyers after 106 years of serving Selma and surrounding areas with the best “family foot wear” in town. After retiring from Meyer Shoe Co., he was always grieved each time he saw in the Selma Time-Journal obituaries the name of one his dear, loyal customers. He would say he lost another dear friend and would usually say, “He or she wore a size 8-B or 10-narrow.” He was a wonderful, loving, caring gentleman and will be missed by all that knew him. He was a faithful member of North-side Baptist Church where he was appointed to serve on various committees. He also served as a deacon and Chairman of the Deacon Board for many years and was awarded with a plaque in recognition of his faithful and dedicated service. He was highly respected by his church family and community. His tenor voice was heard for many years in the Northside Sanctuary Choir. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Montgomery Cancer Center, Vaughan Regional Medical Center, Park Place Nursing and Rehab Center, his church family, and all who cared for him. In lieu of flowers the family re-quests donations be made to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123-1718 or the Northside Baptist Church Building Fund, 2950 Citizens Pkwy., Selma, AL 36701. Please visit http://www.selmafuner-alhome.com/ to make on line condolences to the family.