Elder Richard Boyd, Jr.

Elder R. Boyd Jr. was born on February 15, 1924, to Elder and Emma Mae Boyd in Louisville,
Georgia. He had two siblings, a sister Diane Walden who lives in Louisville, Georgia, and a
brother Virdree Boyd who preceded him in death.

He served in the United States Military and was a staff sergeant in the Army, serving in World
War II and the Korean War. He received a Purple Heart for his service.

He attended Fort Valley State College and graduated from Tuskegee Institute, where he
received the degree of Bachelor of Science in Commercial Industries – Electricity.

He moved to Michigan from Georgia where he became a Master Electrician. He worked on
many building projects in the Detroit area, one of his favorite projects was working on the
construction of the Renaissance Center.

He met Marie S. Hampton in 1953 and they were married on September 11, 1954, enjoying 59
years together until her passing. To this union three sons were born, Eric, Ronald, and David.

Elder accepted Christ at an early age at Jones Grove Baptist Church in Louisville, Georgia.

He later joined St. Stephen AME Church and was active in two choirs: Celestial and the
Harmonaires. He was also active in the Men’s Club, Historical Remembrance Committee, and
the Trustee Ministry, serving over 50 years. He especially enjoyed overseeing the building
expansion projects of the church.

Elder leaves to cherish his memory: sons, Eric (Cassandra) Boyd of Detroit, Michigan; Ronald
(Priscilla) Boyd of Kalamazoo, Michigan; and David Boyd of Detroit, Michigan; a sister, Diane
(Verdree) Walden of Louisville, Georgia; three nieces, Vanessa (Paul) Boyd of Atlanta, Georgia;
Yaoundé Barnes of Louisville, Georgia; Jacquie (Michael) Pugh of New Castle, Delaware; three
nephews, Jesse (Blondean) Greene of Atlanta, Georgia; Rodney (Betty) Boyd of Cambridge,
Massachusetts, and Richard (Margaret) Boyd of New Castle, Delaware. Two grandchildren,
Christopher (Megan) Boyd of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Jeremiah Boyd of Kalamazoo,
Michigan and other relatives, friends, and the St. Stephen AME Church family.