Sara R. Beard nee Taylor, age 96, of Hammond, made the transition to heaven surrounded by her loving family at her home on Thursday, September 10, 2015. Beloved aunt of Shirley (Charles) Parsons, Lois Ritchie, Rebecca (David) Markwood, Danny Jones, Charles Jeffery (Sandy) Parsons, and Terry (Leah) Jones. Preceded in death by her husband, N. B. Beard, her parents Thomas Jefferson Taylor and Nila Taylor nee Brock, and her sisters, Ruby Cox, and Betty Jones. Sara moved to Baltimore to work in the shipyard as a welder during World War II. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond in 1952 and did graduate work at Indiana University in Terre Haute. Sara would ride a mule to work in a 1 room school house. She taught school in Northwest Indiana for 29 years, retiring from Lake Ridge Schools in 1982. Sara belonged to the Indiana State Teachers Association and the Lake County Retired Teachers Association. She has been a member of the Hoffman Street Baptist Church for over 50 years where she taught Sunday School for many years and Vocation Bible School. Sara was also a member of the Hammond Historical Society. She was also an Eastern Star. A Celebration of Sara's life will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 from 12 Noon until time of Service at 12:30 PM at LaHAYNE FUNERAL HOME, 6955 Southeastern Ave., Hammond with Minister David Parker officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, Hammond, IN. For further information regarding services, please contact LaHAYNE FUNERAL HOME at 219/ 845-3600.