D.L. Beard was born on September 25, 1898 in Bath County Virginia and died Deceber 27, 1960.
In 1932 D.L. Beard received his Ph.D. from Edinburgh University in Scotland with his doctoral thesis titled "Origin and early development of Presbyterianism in Virginia".
He married Caroline V. Williams on June 3, 1926. Their children
included "Ben" who died as an infant, Delemo Leetassa Beard Jr. "Lee",
and Elizabeth "Beth". It is unknown why the last letter of
Leetasse was changed to an "a", but it continued to his grandson and
great grandaughter.
He returned to Virginia and served as a pastor to many small rural Presbyterian churches including Bridgewater, VA and Franklin, WV until World War II when he joined the US Navy and served as a Chaplain serving in the south Pacific and achieving the rank of Lt. Commander. Upon completing his tour of duty, he continued his support of small rural churches at Mossy Creek, VA and White Sulphur Springs, WV.
He is buried in the cemetery of Mossy Creek Presbyterian Church
(VA).
D.L. Beard Sr., D.Lee and Beth Beard, Elizabeth Annabelle Shanks-Beard-Tisdall