Dorothy Greene Boyer

Dorothy G. Boyer of Sylvania, passed away at her home on December 14, 2010. Mrs. Boyer was the wife of the late Alex S. Boyer Jr. Born in Bluffton, Ga., daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Greene, Mrs. Boyer was one of 4 children. She was a 1934 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in Journalism. She was in the initial pledge class of Alpha Rho chapter of Delta Delta Delta fraternity during her senior year. Upon graduation she taught school for one year in Canton, Ga., before moving to Millen, Ga. It was here that she met and married Alex S. Boyer Jr. on June 23, 1940. In 1945 they moved to Sylvania as owners of The Sylvania Stockyard and she embraced her new community. A member of First Baptist Church, she served as teacher of the Philathea Sunday School class and was a member of the WMU as well as serving on numerous committees as called. She was actively involved in the projects of the Sylvania Woman’s Club and was recognized with “The Useful Citizen Award” 1968-1970, by the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs. Her intrigue with genealogy and history rendered years of service to the Brier Creek Chapter NSDAR with numerous leadership positions including chapter Regent. She served as Georgia DAR Historian 1974-1976, Georgia DAR Recording Secretary, 1976-1978, and Georgia DAR Scrapbook Chairman, 1982. Mrs. Boyer played a vital role in the restoration of the Dell-Goodall House of Jacksonborough, Ga. which led to her selection as the Sylvania Rotary Club “Citizen of the Year” in 1976. Another community project spear-headed by Mrs. Boyer was the reunion of the survivors of the SS Otranto, a WWI troop carrier sunk in 1918. On the 50th anniversary of the ship’s sinking, Screven County was chosen as the location for this 1968 reunion. Her pride she took in her heritage also led to membership in the Magna Carter Dames and First Families of Georgia.

As Mrs. Boyer’s children grew, she stayed active in journalism with regular contributions to the Savannah Morning News, Augusta Chronicle, Statesboro Herald and her home town paper, The Sylvania Telephone. For a number of years she wrote a weekly column, At Random for The Telephone. In 1964-65 she returned to her beloved University of Georgia to receive her Master Degree from the Henry W. Grady School. A year later she taught Journalism writing classes at what was then Georgia Southern College, Statesboro, Ga. She was active in the Georgia State Press Association.

As an avid Georgia Bulldog she enjoyed years of football games with her fellow alumni and husband, Alex, which brought with it great tailgating parties and fun antics with fans of the rival SEC teams. She also enjoyed the friendships of the ladies of The Young Matrons each Thursday afternoon and regular events with The Screven County Dance Club. She was also a Rotary International Paul Harris fellow.

She is survived by one sister, Edith G. Humphrey and her husband, Marlin Humphrey of Roswell, Ga., three children, Alexander S. Boyer III and his wife Jacquelyn S. Boyer of Carthage, Missouri, Ben T. Boyer and his wife, Kay A Boyer of Sylvania, Ga., Annice B. Hogsette and her husband Gerald. B Hogsette, Jr., MD. of Winston-Salem, NC. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday evening 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at Thompson - Strickland - Waters Funeral Home in Sylvania. The funeral service will be Saturday, December 18 at 11:30 a.m., First Baptist Church, Sylvania, Ga. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Building Fund of First Baptist Church of Sylvania, P O Box 318, Sylvania, GA 30467 or to the Brier Creek Chapter NSDAR, Dell-Goodall Restoration Fund, c/o Emelyn Hunter, Treasurer, 1115 S. Main Street, Sylvania, Ga. 30467. Thompson-Strickland-Waters Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements. Online at thompsonstricklandwaters.com.