Susan Fair Boyd

Susan Fair Boyd was born in Columbia, SC on January 14, 1933 and died Saturday, November 8, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Anna Ray Taylor and James Henry Fair, both of Columbia. She married Darnall Whitmell Boyd, the love of her life, in 1953, and they were married for 62 years. They enjoyed entertaining and travelling. They shared an amazing and adventurous life together.

She attended Chatham Hall in Chatham, Virginia for her high school years and kept a close relationship with the school until her death.

Susan was a lifelong member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. She was a member and past president of The Assembly. She was a member of The Palmetto Garden Club and of Historic Columbia and served on The Garden Committee. She was a member of The Columbia Museum of Art and served on the building and grounds committee, and the County Appearance Commission. Susan was also a member of Forest Lake Country Club and The Pine Tree Hunt Club. She and her husband, Darnall, gifted the City of Columbia with Boyd Plaza in memory of their son, Darnall W. Boyd, Jr. In 2019, The Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation completely renovated the plaza and have maintained it since then.

She ran the riding school at WildeWood for 12 years and started The Pony Club in Columbia. She was also a member of The Camden Hunt.

For 22 years Susan worked extensively with her husband on his country club development, Sapphire Lakes (now Burlingame), located in Sapphire, NC. She oversaw the interior decorating and the landscaping and made sure that the kitchen had a great chef.

In 2022, Mayor Daniel Rickenman and Columbia City Council proclaimed March 9 as “Susan Boyd Day”. She was given the key to the city.

Susan and Darnall loved the city of Columbia, and before his death, they set up the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation. Their first project was developing the bridge and boardwalk to what has become Boyd Island. Unfortunately, Darnall did not see it come to fruition, but Susan was there to cut the ribbon to the island.

She is survived by her son, Taylor Fair Boyd, and her brother James Henry Fair, Jr. She was preceded in death by her son, Darnall W. Boyd, Jr. and her husband, Darnall W. Boyd.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hickory Top Farm Therapeutic Riding Program PO Box 61139 Columbia, SC 29206 or to Trinity Episcopal Foundation, 1100 Sumter Street Columbia, SC 29201 or to Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community, One Still Hopes Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169.

A graveside service will be held in Elmwood Cemetery on Wednesday November 19, 2025 at 12 noon. The family will welcome friends at the residence of Ford Boyd (her niece) and George Bailey at the Bailey’s residence after the service. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street, is assisting the family.