UntitledMARY ALICE GUPTON BEARD1950 - 2008Mary Alice Gupton Beard, 57, formerly of Pensacola Beach, passed away February 19, 2008 in Long Beach, CA. She was born on April 8, 1950 in Atlanta, GA and attended the University of South Carolina. She grew up dancing, and was an accomplished ballerina with the Southern Ballet Company. As an adult, she poured her passion into sailing. Over the course of her many maritime adventures, Mary captained yachts from Hawaii to Vancouver, competed in open ocean races all across the Gulf of Mexico, sailed extensively through the waters off Florida and Mexico, and swam whenever she could find dolphins. She had a giving heart, and will be remembered for her many contributions of time to the American Red Cross, including participating in disaster relief at Ground Zero helping survivors cope with the aftermath of 9/11. She spent twelve of her last years in Livingston, MT, where she will be remembered for her love of dogs and service to the Friends of the Library, before moving to Long Beach, CA to be closer to family. She was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy T. Gupton, and sister, Isabel Gupton Yerkovich. Survivors include her father, Guy. W. Gupton Jr., of Livingston, MT; two brothers, Guy W. Gupton III (Susan) of Duluth, GA, and Walter T. Gupton (Margie) of Atlanta, GA; two children, Roane Beard (Christie) of Artesia, CA, and Temple Beard Roberts (Daniel) of Harrison, AR; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. A private service will held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 23, 2008 in Long Beach, CA, where her ashes will be scattered at sea, among the dolphins she so loved. Donations may be made in her memory to The American Red Cross, PO Box 4002018, Des Moines, IA 50340-2018.