Barbara Sue Handy Beard, 73, of Noblesville died March 28 at her residence. Born in 1940 in Logansport, she was the daughter of Lucille and Orma Handy.

A longtime resident of Indianapolis, she graduated from Logansport High School in 1958. She married her college sweetheart in 1961 and graduated cum laude from Franklin College in 1962. She taught English and speech in Las Cruces, N.M., while her husband served in the army at White Sands Missile Range. Returning to Indiana, she taught at Howe High School and earned her masters in English at Butler University in 1971. She taught at various colleges and universities and served as the director of extended services for Ivy Tech. She loved literature, the theater, art and spending time with her family. She was a member of St. Edward the Confessor, Delta Delta Delta, the Indianapolis Women’s Department Club and the Fortnightly Literary Club.

Survivors include her brother, Don (Donna) Handy and John (Stevie) Handy; sister, Joyce (Clyde) Welbaum; son, Kent (Christy) Beard; daughter, Tracy (Steve) Line; grandchildren, Alyssa, Alexandra, Sarah, Megan, Abigail and Quin. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. April 15 at Indiana Funeral Care and Crematory, Harry W. Moore Chapel with visitation starting at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Seconds Helpings of Indianapolis, 1121 Southeastern Ave, Indianapolis, 46202.