Eulogistic Services
For
Dr. George Felix Boyd
Saturday, January 24, 2004
10:00 A.M.
Mount Pisgah Baptist Church
of Orangeburg, Inc.
310 Green Street
Orangeburg, South Carolina
The Reverend D. Edward Chaney, Pastor
Obituary
On Sunday, January 18, 2004, Dr. GEORGE FELIX BOYD took ill in his home and
was taken to The Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg, South Carolina, where he suffered
a heart attack. After being medi-vac to Providence Hospital in Columbia, and after several
attempts to revive him, he absented his body, and became present with his Lord.
Dr. George Felix Boyd was born in Augusta, Georgia November 29, 1924, the second
child of three, to loving Christian parents, the late Reverend Robert Louis Boyd and Marie
Shumake Boyd.
Sickly at birth, George grew to be a very inquisitive, and mischevious child. He and his
sisters grew up as obedient preachers children, attending Walker Baptist Institute and
Charles T. Walker Elementary School in Augusta and on Sundays worshiping at Elim Baptist
Church, where his father was pastor. George very early demonstrated his love for learning, and
an unusual aptitude for music. Mastering any subject he set his mind to, George began a life-
long pattern of self-improvement through education. Encouraged by his mother, who insisted
all three children take music lessons, George quickly became proficient at the piano.
Finishing Paine College High School in 1941, George left home for military service in the
Navy. While stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base in Chicago, Illinois, George continued study-
ing piano. Upon an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1945, George entered Virginia Union
University where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1948. He immediately traveled
across the country to begin his graduate work in Psychology. In 1950 George was awarded a
Master of Science degree from the University of Oregon, and began his distinguished career in
Psychology. George went on to teach in the Psychology Departments of several colleges and uni-
versities including, Johnson C. Smith University, Norfolk State University, Tuskegee Institute
and Alabama State University.
In August 1968 George made history, becoming the first African American to be award-
ed a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Maine. Merging his life-long love of
music, with his intellectual acumen for Psychology, George produced the dissertation, The
perceptibility and discriminability of sharp and flat symbols in musical signature.
Dr. Boyd was widely published in his field of Psychology, with articles appearing in such dis-
tinguished journals as The Journal of Social Psychology, and The Journal of General
Psychology. In 1973, Dr. Boyd joined the faculty of South Carolina State College, where he
retired in 1990.
But there was a lot more to George Felix Boyd, than just lofty intellectual pursuits. Dr.
Boyd loved practical learning: he periodically took classes at Orangeburg Technical College,
such as C.B. Radio repair, and Computer literacy. He loved conversing with people, and would
somewhat awkwardly strike up long conversations with anyone with piercing, though sincere
questions. He was very active in his church, Mt. Pisgah, as a member of the Mens Progressive
Club, the Mass Choir, and Ward II. George was loved by his neighbors, and was very active in
the Northwood Estates Neighborhood Association. He remained a devoted and active member
of Virginia Union Alumni Association, and was an ardent follower of black college athletics.
Dr. George Felix Boyd leaves to cherish his memory two loving sisters: Robbie Louise
Clark of Atlanta, Georgia and Annamozel (Ulysses) Byas of Macon, Georgia; three nieces:
Melanie Byas, LaVerne (Michael) Byas-Smith, and Alisia Byas; two nephews; Leonard Clark
and Eric Byas; four grand nieces and nephews; and a host of cousins, former students and col-
leagues, neighbors, and friends.
The Order of Service
The Reverend D. Edward Chaney,
Officiating
PRELUDE.......................................Soft Music
PROCESSIONAL - Going Home (Largo) from New World Symphony by Dvorak
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN........................Amazing Grace
SCRIPTURES
Old Testament.....................................Dr. Ulysses Byas
New Testament .................................Sister Georgia Good
INVOCATION.....................................Deacon George Rearden
PERIOD OF MEDITATION.............................Sister Sandye Spann
Organ Interlude - Jesu, Joy of Mans Desiring
///tM-
REMARKS..........................MartfrfH. Johnson, Elim Baptist Church
Deacon Richard Winningham, Ward II
Deacon Ronald Ray, Director Mass Choir
Leroy Morant, Mens Progressive Club
Dr. Charles Jones, Former student
SELECTION - Choral Medley .....................Mt. Pisgah Mass Choir
FAMILY REMARKS ...................................The Nephews
Eric J. Byas
Leonard C. Clark
SOLO - Stand.............................Brother Roger Jenkins
EULOGY.............................The Reverend D. Edward Chaney
CONGREGATIONAL SONG.....................Great Is Thy Faithfulness
RECESSIONAL........................Sing The Wondrous Love of Jesus
9(epass
F.G.S. Everett Building
Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church
Immediately following services.
Crossing ^(je ar
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me,
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea.
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho from out our bourne of time and place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.
- Alfred Tennyson
^Honorary Taffbearers Active Taffbearers
Mens Progressive Club Deacons and Trustees
of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church
Northwood Estates Neighborhood Assocation
Jtower Bearers
Women of Ward II
and Floral Club
of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church
HclqiozvCedgement
The family wishes to express its sincere grat-
itude for the many cards, telegrams, flowers
and other courtesies extended to them in this
time of bereavement.
Interment
Reverend Charles Smith
Elim Baptist Church, Presiding
Mt. Olive Memorial Gardens
Augusta, Georgia
Saturday, January 24, 2004
3:00 P.M.
BYTHEWOOD FUNERAL HOME
1195 Amelia Street 4- Orangeburg, South Carolina
Phone: 534-3301
John F. Lessane, Jr., Mortician
John A. Lessane, Mortician
Lynette G. Lessane, Registered Apprentice
Dents Undertaking Establishment
Augusta, Georgia: 534-3301
Frank Griffen, Manager