VIDALIA – Services for M. Lee Bean, 71, a long-time resident of Concordia Parish, who died Sunday, March 9, 2008, at Promise Specialty Hospital, in Ferriday, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Vidalia Methodist Church with the Rev. Barry Dennis officiating.
Burial will follow at Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church.
Mr. Bean was born Oct. 21, 1936, in Antioch, Okla., the son of William Lee Bean and Josie Beatrice White Bean.
Mr. Bean moved to Concordia Parish in 1975 with Crow Farms, Inc., a division of the Trammell Crow Company. With a background in farm and ranch management, as well as, land clearing and drainage development, he became the general manager of Angelina Plantation in the fall of 1975. Under his direction, Angelina cleared over 22, 000 acres of timberland in 1976 and cleared the remaining 7,500 acres to be developed in 1977. Until his death, he continued as general manager to develop Angelina through land leveling techniques, he developed, to better utilize the farm for agricultural purposes. Residents of Concordia Parish have benefited and will continue to benefit from Mr. Bean’s deep understanding of drainage issues effecting Concordia Parish and his willingness to work for the benefit of all.
Mr. Bean was a recognized leader and innovator in the agricultural community and was serving as the President of the Adams County Farm Bureau, a position he held since 1994.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one son, Marion Lee “Bub” Bean Jr.
Survivors include his wife, Yvonne Saxton Bean; three daughters, Amy Elizabeth Cooke and husband, Calvin, both of Monterey, Whitney Harrison and husband, Jerry, both of Woodville and Danny Hickman of Vidalia; one son, Thomas Scott and wife, Vicky, both of Yazoo City; 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Margaret Reid and husband, Joe, both of Kingston, Okla. and Kay Buchanan of Ardmore, Okla.; and one brother, Clay Bean of Atlanta.
Pallbearers will be Cory Howser, Andrew Buchanan, David Lee Martin Jr., Ricky Davenport, Todd Ferrara and Drew Harrison.
Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Ferrara, Burl Milam, Calvin Cooke, Jerry Harrison and Joe Reid.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lairdfh.com.