Family receives unexpected closure from missing wallet after father's death

ATLANTA — A wallet missing for more than 3 years has been found and will soon be returned to an Atlanta family.

Christina Bennett was walking along the beach at Pensacola Florida when she came across a wallet on the shoreline.

"It was very beach washed and had little barnacles attached to it, but I managed to wash it off in the water and open it," Bennett said.

Bennett found a driver's license issued to said Ralph George Beard Jr. and other miscellaneous cards.

"I noticed the expiration date was 2014 and could only imagine the story behind losing it," Bennett said. "I figured, why not try and find this man and return it?"

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Bennett started searching on her phone, and her search led her to an obituary.

"I was very sad and was at a loss of what to do," Bennett said.

After doing some research, Bennett was able to contact Beard's family. "They were very excited and happy to hear my story and wanted the wallet," she said.

Bennett talked to Beard's son, Brian Beard, and learned that his father lost the wallet about 3 years ago while deep-sea fishing off the coast.

"In October 2013, at the annual SATA (Southern Aerosol Technical Association) meeting, my father, Ralph Beard, and some colleagues went on a deep-sea fishing trip," Brian Beard said. "My father, being accident prone as he was, lost his wallet and it took a dip in the Gulf of Mexico."

After hearing Brian Beard's story, and in light of Ralph Beard's recent death, Bennett decided to make a memory jar for the family.

“I collected both the sand and shells from the very spot the wallet was found,” Bennett said. “I’m so glad it will be heading home. May he rest in peace and his family be joyous and at peace.”

Brian Beard said he hopes to thank Bennett in person soon and that the family is indebted to her for her kindness.

“On behalf of my family, Christina, I want to publicly share our story and thank you the time, effort and love you spent trying to find us and for being a model of how we should all look out for our brothers and sisters unconditionally," he said.

Brian Beard and his family are expected to receive the jar in the mail Wednesday.

Cox Media Group