John Wesley Boyd

John was born July 8, 1932 in Canton Mississippi to John Wesley and Mattie Boyd (Pierce) one of thirteen children born to this union. He attended school in Canton, Mississippi and confessed his love and faith in Jesus Christ at an early age at Mary Grove Baptist Church.  At the age of 18, John enlisted in the armed services (Army) and served our country in the Korean War. John loved to share stories about his time in the military with close family and friends, and especially loved to laugh about the “rocky” sea during his trip from the United States to Korea. After serving his country in the armed services, John settled in Indianapolis Indiana worked for Chrysler Indiana Transmission and ultimately Olin Brass (Bridgeport Brass) where he remained for 32 years, until he retired at the age of 62. Up until his 84th Birthday, he joked about seeking “part-time” employment because he needed “something to do” during the day. 

John loved to tell jokes and laugh with his family and friends. He enjoyed travelling, listening to the Blues and spending time with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. He continued to host family Bar-B-Que’s (doing all the cooking) up until May 31, 2016, one of at least three large family events he hosted annually.  John was a loving and father, husband, grandfather and friend.

John is survived by his wife, Dorothy Johnson-Boyd, his children, John Boyd, Patricia Boyd, Levon Richardson (Pernell), Gwendolyn Boyd, Cynthia Gray-Cox (Sam), Jimmie Darby (Danielle), Jennifer Darby, his step children Dorothy Stuart, Adrian Stuart, Eric Payne;  siblings Corene Driver, Venate  Gallaread, Eddie Boyd and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Wesley and Mattie Boyd (Pierce), his son Billy Ray Boyd, first wife Hattie Lou Boyd (Holifield), second wife Rosie Lee Boyd (Woods), and siblings Odie Boyd, Ollie Boyd, Terri Donelson, Henry Boyd, Ernestine Deramus, Mildred O’Dell, Joe David Boyd, Robert Boyd and Obria Boyd.