Obituary for Frances Amanda Boyd
On January 28, 1946, Frances Amanda Boyd was born in South Norwalk, Connecticut, to David Boyd and Dorothy Adams. She began attending Mt. Zion Baptist Church at the age of two with her family, received the Lord as her Savior at 12, and was baptized by Pastor Medley. In 1960, the family joined Calvary Baptist Church, Rev. S. J. Williams, where she continued her participation in activities from her youth through adulthood. Frances was in the third graduating class from Brien McMahon Senior High in 1964. She continued her education at the Norwalk Community College and received her business degree from the Lee Johnson School of Business in 1966.
Upon moving to Jacksonville with her husband, Dan Griffith, she became employed with the Florida National Bank as a Data Entry Supervisor. She then served for 13 years at American Heritage Life Insurance Company as Supervisor of the Credit Life Department. The next 13 years were with the Department of Children and Family Services as a Data Entry/Interview Clerk.
In 1972, Sister Boyd joined Mt. Bethel Baptist Church, Pastor S.A. Thomas, Jr. , and was placed on District 12, under Dea. Eugene Grant; currently Dea. Michael Jones, Leader. She was immersed in the Music Department – the Young Adult Choir, the S.A. Thomas Joylistic Voices, and later, the Sanctuary Choir. If Frances called you “Turkey,” you were special. She was active with the Young Matrons and at one time, was Director of the Red Circle Girls. Civic activities included the Mayor’s Advisory Board (1977-82), Moncrief Improvement Association, 4 H Leader, Bridge the Gap, and a Sickle Cell volunteer.
Family was everything to her. She assumed the responsibility of raising her nieces, nephew and grand cousin to adulthood, and also keeping in touch with her California nephew and niece, who would visit in the Summer. She was like a mother to them all, a provider, a teacher, making sure they were involved in church and prepared for responsible adulthood.
As her health declined, activities became limited. Several young ladies whom she called her “girls” were invaluable in helping her family with her care. Throughout her illness, her faith remained strong, and many times she pressed her way to church services in spite of her circumstances.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Donnell Boyd and Barry Boyd; and ex-husband, Dan Griffith. Left to cherish her life are sisters, Denise Boyd and Cora Lee Keels; brother, Johnny Boyd; sister-in-law, Deborah Boyd; nieces, Laureen Carter, Candice Boyd Smith (David Sr.), Shyla Bator-Boyd and Desiree Boyd; nephews, Barry Boyd, Jr. (Schnel) and Jeffree Boyd; great cousin, Aaron Davis; great nieces and nephews, Cary Brock, Jordan Smith, Journey Smith, Barry Boyd III and Julian Boyd; Godchildren, Alonzo Turner, Jr. (Yvonne) , Latoya Turner Walden, “the girls”- Carolyn Foster, Rita Hall, Derrell Mixson, Sharon Masline, Geri Crumley; the Monroe family; her church family, friends and neighbors.
Farewell, Sister Frances Amanda Boyd. We’ll see you by and by, when the morning comes.
Upon moving to Jacksonville with her husband, Dan Griffith, she became employed with the Florida National Bank as a Data Entry Supervisor. She then served for 13 years at American Heritage Life Insurance Company as Supervisor of the Credit Life Department. The next 13 years were with the Department of Children and Family Services as a Data Entry/Interview Clerk.
In 1972, Sister Boyd joined Mt. Bethel Baptist Church, Pastor S.A. Thomas, Jr. , and was placed on District 12, under Dea. Eugene Grant; currently Dea. Michael Jones, Leader. She was immersed in the Music Department – the Young Adult Choir, the S.A. Thomas Joylistic Voices, and later, the Sanctuary Choir. If Frances called you “Turkey,” you were special. She was active with the Young Matrons and at one time, was Director of the Red Circle Girls. Civic activities included the Mayor’s Advisory Board (1977-82), Moncrief Improvement Association, 4 H Leader, Bridge the Gap, and a Sickle Cell volunteer.
Family was everything to her. She assumed the responsibility of raising her nieces, nephew and grand cousin to adulthood, and also keeping in touch with her California nephew and niece, who would visit in the Summer. She was like a mother to them all, a provider, a teacher, making sure they were involved in church and prepared for responsible adulthood.
As her health declined, activities became limited. Several young ladies whom she called her “girls” were invaluable in helping her family with her care. Throughout her illness, her faith remained strong, and many times she pressed her way to church services in spite of her circumstances.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Donnell Boyd and Barry Boyd; and ex-husband, Dan Griffith. Left to cherish her life are sisters, Denise Boyd and Cora Lee Keels; brother, Johnny Boyd; sister-in-law, Deborah Boyd; nieces, Laureen Carter, Candice Boyd Smith (David Sr.), Shyla Bator-Boyd and Desiree Boyd; nephews, Barry Boyd, Jr. (Schnel) and Jeffree Boyd; great cousin, Aaron Davis; great nieces and nephews, Cary Brock, Jordan Smith, Journey Smith, Barry Boyd III and Julian Boyd; Godchildren, Alonzo Turner, Jr. (Yvonne) , Latoya Turner Walden, “the girls”- Carolyn Foster, Rita Hall, Derrell Mixson, Sharon Masline, Geri Crumley; the Monroe family; her church family, friends and neighbors.
Farewell, Sister Frances Amanda Boyd. We’ll see you by and by, when the morning comes.