Vance Avery Boyd

Vance Avery Boyd, born September 24, 1930, in Memphis, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2025. He was the son of Mabel Vance Boyd and the brother of George Llewellyn Boyd, Jr, (deceased), Edna Boyd McGill (deceased), William C. Boyd (Regina), and Mary Kathryn Boyd (Mimi Waite). As a child, Vance was imaginative and drawn to beautiful things—a spark that would shape his entire life. He served in the United States Air Force for four years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and during his service he married Mary Pfeifer. Together they had five children: Gregory Vance Boyd (deceased), Leigh Ann Poole (Peter) of Oxford, Mississippi, Stacy Boyd Bloomston of Birmingham, Alabama, Lauren Shaffrey (George) of Collierville, Tennessee, and Allison Harvey (Marty) of Jackson, Tennessee. Vance was the proud grandfather of ten grandchildren—Clayton Poole (deceased), Mary Avery Poole, Bradley Little, Ellen Little, Brian Shaffrey, Alex Bloomston, Anna Bloomston, Claire Bloomston, Andrew Allen, and Geoffrey Allen—and the great-grandfather of Emma and Charlotte. Vance’s lifelong love of beauty guided his remarkable career. He began at Brodnax on Main Street in downtown Memphis, starting as a stockboy and working his way up to President of the company. He later moved to the Brodnax location in Laurelwood, where he continued to refine his gift for jewelry and design. In 1973, he opened Vance Boyd & Son Fine Jewelers at Clark Tower in Memphis, later relocating to Park Place Mall. He also opened a fine boutique jewelry store in the lobby of the historic Peabody Hotel. After 20 successful years, he closed the jewelry store and turned his talents toward decorating and interior design, opening Vance Boyd Antiques on Cooper and Union, along with booths at Palladio and La Maison. He adored working, creating, and surrounding himself with beauty—whether in gemstones, antiques, or the people he met along the way. He loved his dogs, he loved to shop, and he loved telling stories to anyone willing to listen. Truly, there was no one else like him. Late in life, Vance discovered that although he could not draw, that did not mean he could not paint. At age 83, he picked up a paintbrush, and a new talent emerged with astonishing clarity. For the next ten years he painted prolifically, eventually selling his work through art shows and gaining recognition as a local artist. This unexpected chapter became one of the great joys of his life. In his final years, Vance lived at The Farms of Bailey Station, where he spent 3½ wonderful years forming cherished new friendships. The family would like to thank all the staff and caregivers who supported him, both at his apartment at The Farms and at Jordan River—especially the incredible staff at Jordan River who cared for him with great compassion. A special thanks is given to Ashley Cobb, Lala Chism, and Linda Craig for the love and devotion they showed him daily. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee or mass intentions for Vance Boyd at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception or Catholic Church of your choice. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1695 Central Ave, Memphis, TN 38104. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Midtown, 1661 Elvis Presley Blvd. Memphis, TN.