Bramlet Lemuel Beard

Bramlet Lemuel Beard, 92, of Kingsport, passed away peacefully Thursday, August 14, 2014 at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. He was born on August 31, 1921 in Waco TX to Irna Jones Beard & Herber Samuel Beard.

After graduating from Baylor University in Waco TX with a B.S. degree in chemistry, he was employed by TN Eastman Company where he joined the Yarn Division. Later he transferred to Holston Ordinance Works.

Upon joining the U.S. Navy, he was sent to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for training in aerology. Bramlet was discharged with the rank of Lieutenant, JG. Upon his return to Kingsport, he was transferred to Eastman Chemical Products Incorporated. In 1966 he was transferred to Atlanta, GA as District Manager. In 1972 he became Regional Manager and worked out of the New Jersey office. He was a member of American Paint, Varnish and Lacquer Society. After 44 years' service with Eastman, he retired in1986.

A very active member of the community, Bramlet was charter member of Jaycees and helped to build Kingsport's first teen center. He was long time member of Kiwanis Club of Greater Kingsport.

Bramlet was a member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church where he sang with both the Sanctuary Choir and the Sounds of Joy Choir. He served as chairman of the committee that replaced the first organ for the Sanctuary. For over 17 years he taught teen age and college Sunday School classes and served on the Board of Stewards there.

Since he thoroughly enjoyed singing, Bramlet sang tenor with the quartet "The Class of '42" long before the formation of the local Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. Early on he served as President of that group.

Bramlet was instrumental in the organization and development of the Institute of Continued Learning at East Tennessee State University, where he taught classes in Writing Autobiography and Creative Writing for many years. Later he helped with the foundation of a similar Project at ETSU in Kingsport. Several of his students have published their own books of poetry and autobiography.

Bramlet was preceded in death by his wife Ruth Huffaker Beard; parents Heber and Irna Beard; brothers Pat Beard, Mike Beard, and Jimmy Beard and a great grandson Adrian Joseph.

He is survived by two daughters Kathryn Beard Kays and husband Von, of Snoqualmie, WA and Eileen Beard Johnson of Kingsport, TN; son, Les Beard and wife, Loralee of Grayson, GA; grandchildren Dr. Alexis Kays Leonard and husband, Derek of Maple Valley, WA, Nathan Johnson and wife, Nina of Buffalo, NY, Adrian Kays and wife, Kim of Colorado Springs, CO, Meghan Beard Schroder and husband, David of Grayson, GA, Taryn Beard Barnett and husband, Madison of Grayson, GA, Bert Beard and wife, Crystal of Wilson, NC, Alexander Beard of Atlanta, GA; twelve great-grandchildren Blake Schroder, Emilia Johnson, Hayden Barnett, Evan Leonard, Greta Leonard, Skylar Schroder, Kylee Beard, Taylor Barnett, Danielle Johnson, Sydney Beard, MacKenzie Barnett, and Emory Beard; brother Frank Beard and wife, Georgia of Waco, TX; sister-in-law Carolyn Beard of Dublin, OH and many nephews and nieces.

It was his wish to be cremated. A memorial service in celebration of Bramlet's life will be announced later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Building Fund at First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 E. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37662.