Emma Nash Boyd Bevacqua

Emma, the daughter of the late Sam and Gladys Boyd, was born on April 23, 1926 in Trinity, Kentucky. Emma was raised with her four siblings: Jean Wiggington, Royce Boyd, Neal Boyd, and Charlene Gracey who all preceded her in death. Emma enjoyed spending time at her father’s grocery store and with her Aunt Hazel in Lexington, Kentucky.

Emma earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky State Teachers' College and a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Emma was a devoted Biology teacher. She influenced countless students throughout her over thirty years in Wake County Public Schools. She taught at Martin Middle School, Enloe High School and Sanderson High School. She was determined to inspire young people to love learning even if it meant she had to carry around a lizard on her shoulder. After she retired from teaching, Emma began a second career as a seamstress at the North Carolina Theater and Theater in the Park. She spent thirty-five years perfecting costumes for shows like A Christmas Carol and Annie. Emma loved spending time with her fellow seamstresses, interns and the actors.

Emma married Anthony “Tony” Bevacqua on March 4, 1944 and raised four children. Emma was well known for her sharp wit. She loved gardening, baking, traveling, quilting and making her famous “humbug” bags. One of Emma’s greatest joys was her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. Emma also loved to spend time at her lake house on Lake Gaston, Casa Aqua.

Emma is survived by her three children: Rick Bevacqua, Terry Bevacqua and Tim Bevacqua and his wife Suzi Bevacqua. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tony Bevacqua and her son, David Bevacqua.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday December 17, 2022 at Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a charitable contribution in Emma’s name to the North Carolina Theater Annual Fund (https://nctheatre.com/page/annual-fund) Attn: Juliana Valente, Interim Director of Development One East South Street Raleigh, NC 27601.

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