Thomas Beard

Thomas Richard "Tom" Beard, 64, a resident of Edgewater for more than 28 years and previously of Camp Springs, died of cancer July 2 at his home.

Mr. Beard was born Sept. 3, 1943, in Washington, D.C., to Edith R. Beard and the late John Kenneth Beard Jr.

He was in the National Guard from 1965 to 1971 as a non-commissioned officer.

He was employed for 45 years at B. Franks Joy Co. Inc. where he played many roles from supervisor to division manager and most recently in safety and planning, training and inspection.

He owned and operated Laidback Charter Boat Fishing, was secretary for the Anne Arundel Waterman's Association, and he was a Coast Guard licensed captain.

His hobbies included bay fishing, crabbing and waterfowl hunting.

He is survived by his wife Pamela Beard; three sons, Thomas R. Beard Jr. of Willards, Jeffrey Brandt of West Palm Beach, Fla., and David Brandt of Pasadena; two daughters, Theresa Beard Freni of Berlin and Denise Thorpe Knott of California, Md.; four brothers, James Beard of Edgewater, John Beard of Alexandria, Va., Robert Beard of Yankton, S.D., Stephen Beard of Fulton,; three sisters, Catherine Harman of Capital Heights, Joanne Moore of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Mary Ellen Andrews of Tuxedo; and seven grandchildren.

Friends are invited to Tom's Life Celebration at 2 p.m. Monday, followed by the memorial service at 3 p.m. at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. Interment private.

Online condolences can be made at www.kalasfuneral homes.com,

Helen Lou Becker

Helen Becker of Catonsville, 78, formerly of Annapolis, died of Alzheimer's Disease June 30 at Copper Ridge Care for the Memory Impaired, in Sykesville.

Mrs. Becker was born on March 13, 1930, in Upshur County, W.Va., to Buford McKinney and Nellie Riffee McKinney, She graduated from Jane Lew High School in 1949, received a bachelor of science degree from West Virginia Wesleyan in 1953 and a masters degree in education from The Johns Hopkins University in 1969.

Mrs. Becker retired in 1984 after a 31-year career in education from the Anne Arundel County Public Schools. She began her career as a home economics teacher at Southern High School in 1953; moved to Lake Shore Elementary in 1959 and became acting vice principal in 1966 before becoming the principal of Fort Smallwood Elementary School in 1967.

In 1969, she moved to Riviera Beach Elementary School, then proceeded to work in various administration positions within the Anne Arundel Public Schools. She retired after serving as the Coordinator of Reading for the Anne Arundel Public Schools in 1976.

After retirement, she enjoyed golfing with her husband at the Prospect Bay Country Club in Grasonville.

Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Howard Becker; and one brother, Bill McKinney of Martinsburg, W.Va.

A memorial service was held Thursday at the Fairhaven Chapel in Sykesville. Interment at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville. Arrangements are by The Cremation Society of Maryland.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Copper Ridge Institute, Attn: Development Department, 710 Obrecht Road, Sykesville, MD 21784.

Mike Nardozzi

Michael "Mike" Anthony Nardozzi, 77, a resident of Heritage Harbour for more than 12 years, died of Hodgkin's Lymphoma July 1 at the Mandrin Chesapeake Hospice House in Harwood.

Born October 18, 1930, in Scranton, Pa., to the late Anthony and Theresa Nardozzi, he graduated from Dunmore High School in 1949, where he was a football star.

He served in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954.

He was employed at the U.S. Government Printing Office as a pressman for 27 years, retiring in 1992.

He assembled rosaries for Ranger Rosary Association and volunteered with the Heritage Harbour bingo committee.

He was an accomplished organist and enjoyed photography, bowling and ceramics.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Rose Marie A. Nardozzi; one son, Michael G. Nardozzi of Annapolis; three sisters, Rose Chiesfsky of Lanham, Ann Marie Benson of Dunmore, Pa., and Hilda Mallick of Throop, Pa.

A Memorial Mass will be offered at 9:30 a.m. July 10 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 Bestgate Road. Interment will be at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham. Arrangements are by Kalas Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, C/O Mandrin Chesapeake Hospice House, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Online condolences may be made at www.kalasfuneral homes.com.

Shirley Slaughter

Shirley K. Slaughter, 75, a 55-year resident of Pasadena and a retired mail carrier with the Pasadena Post Office, died July 1 at Baltimore Washington Medical Center.

Mrs. Slaughter was born April 27, 1933, in Baltimore. She retired in 1995 after 25 years with the Postal Service.

Mrs. Slaughter was a member of the Lake Shore and Stoney Creek Democratic Clubs. She also was a member of the Magothy Seniors Group, and had been its president since 1998.

She enjoyed reading, spending time with her family and trips to Midway.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, George Slaughter; and one sister, Jean Ward.

Survivors include four sons, George Slaughter III and Vernon and Chuck Slaughter, all of Pasadena, and Reds Slaughter of Stevensville; two daughters, Karen Geyer and Gail Difatta of Pasadena; one sister, Claire Manowski of Baltimore; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Family and friends may visit from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Stallings Funeral Home, 3111 Mountain Road in Pasadena.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment is private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society.

Jean Stinchcomb

Jean Carolyn Stinchcomb, 79, a longtime resident of Davidsonville, died after a lengthy illness July 3 at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Mrs. Stinchcomb was born Aug. 7, 1928, in Annapolis to the late Bernard W. and Gladys Riggins Sears.

She graduated from Annapolis High School, was a homemaker and former employee at the Naval Institute. She also worked at Sears Produce.

Her hobbies included spending time with her friends at the McDonald's "breakfast club," gardening and spending time outdoors.

She was a member of the St. Andrews United Methodist Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard D. Stinchcomb who died in 1977 and one sister, Nancy Sheckells.

Survivors include one son, Richard Stinchcomb of Pasadena; one daughter, Carol Stinchcomb of Davidsonville; two brothers, Buddy Sears of Davidsonville and Thomas Sears of Denton; one sister, Joyce Zindorf of Davidsonville.

Visitation is tomorrow from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Hardesty Funeral Home, 12 Ridgely Ave.

Funeral services are at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Andrews United Methodist Church, 4 Wallace Manor Road in Edgewater, followed by interment at Hillcrest Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401

Vernon Taylor

Vernon Douglas "pop pop" Taylor, 68, of Annapolis died of cancer July 1 at his home.

Mr. Taylor was born April 2, 1940, in Norfolk, Va., and graduated from Norfolk public schools.

He was retired from the Naval Academy where he was an electrician for 35 years. He also served in the Army.

He enjoyed selling old cars, sports, cookouts, Court TV and Jay Leno. He was a member of the American Legion Post #141.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rosa Taylor and Ernest Banks.

He is survived by his wife Florence Taylor; one son, Vernon Whitehurst of Norfolk, Va.; four daughters, Vernota Taylor of Norfolk, Va., LaVerne Ballew of Spartansburg, S.C., Tracey Smith, Fayette, N.C., and Stacey Taylor, Norfolk, Va.; three brothers, Robert, Allen and Lewis Taylor; four sisters, Dorothy Hodges of Brooklyn, N.Y., Emilly Joe, Frances Eaton and Thereasa Pope, all of Norfolk, Va.; and 11 grandchildren.

A viewing will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Monday at Holy Temple, 708 Bestgate Road, a Christian wake will follow at 11:30 a.m. and funeral services will begin at noon followed by interment at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville. Arrangements are by Reese and Sons Mortuary.