Michael "Chad" Beard

Michael “Chad” Beard, 53, passed away on July 7, 2022, in Winston Salem, NC.

Chad was born in Wilmington, NC to Laura Gail Curtis and Robert “Buddy” Hayes Beard on April 27, 1969. Chad grew up in Wilmington, spent some of his teenage years with his father's family in California, and finally settled in Winston Salem. He loved the mountains and the beach but mostly he loved his family. Though Chad struggled with addiction illness, he was the kindest person and had the biggest heart. He sacrificed so that others might have, and he would literally give the shirt off his own back if he believed it would help someone else. Chad was a beautiful human being with the ability to love and care for those he loved immensely and unconditionally. The world has lost a gentle soul, but we know that he is in a much better place where he is at peace and free from all of the worldly ills that he wrestled with. He was and will always be loved by his immediate and extended family.

Chad is preceded in death by his father, Buddy Beard; his grandmother, Louise Dunlea Curtis; his grandmother, Betsy Curtis; and his grandfather whom he loved so very much, George Curtis.

Chad is survived by his mother, Gail Curtis; stepfather, Lawrence Fine; brother, Shawn Beard (Ashleigh); sister, Lia Curtis Fine; grandmother, Lucille Fine, grandparents, Mary and Ray Beard; two aunts, Susan Howell and Sandy Norby (Chris); two uncles, Bobby Cox (Brenda) and Jackie Cox (Cora); three cousins: Laurie Sarver (Sid), Keith Cox (Adrienne), Shannon Cox; and many other family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials are made to Samaritan Ministries, ( https://www.samaritanforsyth.org/ ) or other similar charities.