JESSIE L. BEARD, 81, mother of Indiana Conference Assistant Brenda Gross, died Monday July 13, 2015. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 207 North Main Street in Columbia City and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, July 17, Columbia City UMC, 605 Forest Parkway in Columbia City. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 17, at the church. Survivors include: daughter Brenda (Abbey) Gross; son Michael (Karen) Beard; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Columbia City United Methodist Church, 605 Forest Parkway, Columbia City IN; Parkview Whitley Foundation or Alzheimer's Association. Condolences may be sent to Mr. & Mrs. Abbey (and Brenda) Gross, 301 Pennsylvania Parkway, Suite 300, Indianapolis IN 46280.