Edward Louis Bearden Jr.

Ed Bearden passed away peacefully at home in Fort Mill, SC, on Saturday, July 19, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. Ed was born July 16, 1953, in Charlotte, NC, to Edward Louis (Jerry) Bearden, Sr., and Daphne Jean Simpkins Bearden. He was a 1971 graduate of East Mecklenburg High School and received a B.A. from UNCC in Liberal Arts, majoring in Religious Studies and the Philosophy of Religion. Ed was a “people person” with a great sense of humor, which led him to a career in the hospitality industry for over 50 years. He began his career during college at Lanny’s Sports Bar & Grill, where he worked his way up from kitchen staff to bartender (self-taught) and General Manager.

He was also a bartender and Food & Beverage Controller at Morton’s for several years. Ed was on the opening team for the Charlotte Palm, excelling as a bartender for over 10 years in its “cathedral of spirits,” as he called it. His other Charlotte restaurants include Dressler’s and Del Frisco’s. Everyone will miss his infectious laugh. Ed mastered his mother’s “secret” carrot cake recipe and had many fans who enjoyed these amazing cakes over the years. He had his own jack-of-all-trades business called Infinite Services and was an avid collector of many interesting items. Ed loved watching and playing sports, especially football, golf, and basketball (as a player and coach in a city league). Ed was a hard worker and loved his family and friends deeply.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Jean Bearden. He is survived by his wife, Betsi, and son Dylan of Fort Mill; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Cindi and Kevin Nee of Baton Rouge, LA; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. The family would like to thank Agape Care of Rock Hill, SC, for their love, care, and support during this journey, especially Ed’s nurse, Victoria, who cared for him at the end, and Brittany, his long-standing CNA. And our love and gratitude go to Anita, our angel, who showered Ed with love and compassion for the last four years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 18, at Palmetto Funeral Home in Fort Mill. After the service, we will continue to celebrate Ed with what he knew best: food, drink, stories, and laughter at Hobo’s located at 213 Main Street in Fort Mill.. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the SC Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association or Agape Care’s Carnation Foundation (CarnationFoundation.org).