Jessie Irene Brand

Jessie Irene (Beard) Brand, 88, of Southside, passed away Sunday, April 8, 2018, at Broadmore Senior Living, Hurricane, WV. She was born December 1, 1929, in Southside, a daughter of the late Jabez C. Beard and Margaret "Maggie" (Dalton) Beard. Irene was a lifelong member of Harmony Baptist Church at Southside. She retired with 35 yrs. service from Mason County Schools, where she taught history and French and was a published author of more than 50 Inspirational romance novels. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rodney Paul "Rod" Brand; brothers, Jabez Beard, Gilbert Beard and Justin Beard; and two sisters, Elizabeth Yauger and Dorothy Sebrell. She is survived by several nieces, nephews and her church family. A funeral service will be 1 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2018, at Wilcoxen Funeral Home in Point Pleasant, with Pastor David Radcliff officiating. Burial will follow at Suncrest Cemetery in Point Pleasant. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the funeral service Thursday at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family and memories may be shared by visiting www.wilcoxenfuneralhome.com.