Paulette L. Beard Roper

Paulette Louise Beard-Roper, 55, a resident of Gulfport, Mississippi, passed away, September 28th, 2021, at Gulfport Memorial Hospital. All those who knew Paulette knew that she was loving, kind, compassionate, and very caring. They also knew that she loved to laugh and was one of the most humorists and kindhearted persons anyone could have ever known. She and her twin brother were born in Biloxi, Mississippi June 16th, 1966, to Ernest Beard and the late Mary Shelby-Beard. As a child, Paulette Was Baptized and became a member of Main Street Missionary Baptist church. She attended the Biloxi public school system, graduated from Biloxi High in the class of 1985. She obtained her certification as a nursing assistant and attended the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Junior College. Paulette was married to Richard Lee Roper Sr. of Foley, AL in 1986. Paulette began her career at Keesler Air Force Base doing clerical work as a teenager. She spent many years working in nursing care centers, in-home care, as well as retail. Paulette also worked as a healthcare transportation coordinator and driver. Her last place of employment was Lakeview Nursing Center in Gulfport, Ms. Paulette took her job and the care of her patients very seriously. She often expressed her sentiments concerning her God-given passion to help and care for others. Paulette would often say: "Now I know God didn't call me to preach, but I know what prayer can do. I trust God and it's just in me, to tell the clients, and people I work with about the lord." Paulette was preceded in death by her mother Mary Lee Shelby-Beard at the age of three; her maternal grandmother Eleanor Posey-Shelby and her maternal aunt Willie Jean Shelby, who both helped to raise her. A special maternal aunt Mattie Jewel Wood; two sisters: Mildred Beard-Jones and Gwendolyn Faye Shelby. Paulette is survived by two sons: Richard (Yakeshia) Roper jr. And Rashad (Diamond) Roper both of Gulfport, Ms. One daughter Rokoyia (Demetrious) Roper-Lee, of Biloxi Ms. One grandson Jaylen Roper, of Gulfport Ms. Four granddaughters Amber Smith of Greenville, AL; Aaliyah Roper of Biloxi, MS; Riley Roper of Gulfport, Ms; I'mari Lee of Biloxi, Ms; one great-grandson Aiden Smith of Greenville, Al; Her father Ernest Washington (Berdia) Beard of Hattiesburg Ms; Eight Brothers: Julius (Patty) Beard of Riverside Ca; Ronnie (Barbie) Moye of Bexley Ms; Ernest Thirkell) Beard of Dothan Al; David (Avis) Shelby of Yonkers, NY; John Beard of Moss Point, Ms; Walter Beard of Biloxi, Ms; *twin* Paul (Donna) Beard of Covington, La; Rodney (Carol) Beard of D'Iberville. Ms; Two Sisters: Merrilyn Beard-Breland of Miami, Fl; Shyri Beard-Wilson of Biloxi, Ms; three paternal aunts; three maternal uncles; one maternal great aunt, a host of nephews and nieces; great-nephews and great-nieces, cousins, and friends. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at Grace Temple Baptist Church at 11:00 am. Visitation will start at 10:00 am. Infinity Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Paulette Beard Roper. For inquiries, please call 228-436-6722.