Mattie Louise (Blair) Beard was born to the late Jeff Blair and Roseanna Brooks in Ethelsville, Alabama on October 24, 1935. On August 14, 2021, the Angel of the Lord gently called his servant to enter the joys of the Heavenly kingdom in eternal peace.

Mattie attended grade school in Alabama and graduated from Hopewell High School in Reform, Alabama. Soon after graduating from high school, she attended beauty school; though Mattie dropped out for a while she returned to beauty school to complete her studies and graduate.

After graduation, she moved to Michigan for a short time and then moved to Washington, DC. It was in Washington, DC that she married the love of her life, Clifton Beard, Jr. on October 30, 1960. To this union was born one son, Maxie Dion.

She worked as a nurse until she could find a job in the Beautician Industry. Obtaining her beautician license, Mattie was excited to begin her business with her first customer, Mrs. Singleton.

Accepting Christ at an early age, Mattie was a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church in Ethelsville, Alabama. She joined the Canaan Baptist Church, Washington DC on February 3, 1974. She enjoyed singing in the choir, namely the former Canaan Choral Ensemble and at the time of her death, the Voices of Canaan. Mattie was an original member of the Friday Night Bible Class and attended Church School. She was a mentor to numerous persons – young and old – who she met at work and church.

Mattie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Clifton. She leaves to cherish her memories one son, Maxie Dion (Karen); three grandsons Branden Jamal, Christopher Allen, and Nathan Deonte. Mattie was the last of the Blair siblings – Jack, Jessie, Murphy, Benjamin, Rheather, Raymond, Rosie Mae, Allie, Corean, Lula, and Betty Lee – all preceded her in death. She also leaves to cherish her memories spiritual daughters Angela Harrell, Crystal Belser, Gina Barbour and a host of family and friends, who are too numerous to name, but who were special in so many ways.