Dorothy Ann Beard - Obituary

orothy Ann (Sawyer) Beard, age 97, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2023 at her home in Annapolis, MD with her daughter by her side. She was born March 16, 1925 in Ponca City, Oklahoma to Bettie and Marvin Sawyer. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 48 years, Lt. Colonel Cletus E. Beard; sisters, Betty Jo Presley and June White; and nephew, Leslie Joe Presley. She was the beloved mother of Lisa Beard Niemann and mother-in-law of Joseph Niemann of Davidsonville, MD and a very proud grandmother to Jodee Marie Niemann of Nashville, TN. She was a loving aunt to her nieces and nephews, a dear neighbor and friend, and known to many as Grandma Dottie. Upon graduating from high School in McAlester, OK, she joined her sisters in Washington, DC working at the Office of Price Administration during World War II. She also worked at the Army Security Agency in Arlington, VA where she met her future husband, the late Cletus E. Beard. They were married in 1952, and soon after received orders to be stationed in Asmara Eritrea, Ethiopia, East Africa where she worked at the State Bank of Ethiopia. One of her favorite memories is meeting the family of the Emperor Haile Selassie. After retiring to Florida, she was a senior tap dancer with Tommy Vance Dancers and the Golden Steppers. She moved to Annapolis, MD in 2001 after the death of her husband to be closer to her family, and she joined the South County Show Stoppers tap dance team at the Edgewater Senior Center. One of her greatest strengths was lighting up a room as she spent time with her family and friends. Her favorite activities encompassed quality time with loved ones, cooking (most notably known for her pecans), and tapdancing. She was still tapping for family and friends on her 97th birthday. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, February 25 at 11:00 am at Davidsonville United Methodist Church. Friends may visit from 10:00 am until the time of the service, and a reception will follow afterwards at the church. Memorial Contributions may be made to Davidsonville United Methodist Church, Davidsonville MD, 21035.