EULOGISTIC SERVICES for REV. ROBERT LOUIS BOYD Wednesday, March 4, 1987 - 4:00 P.M. TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH ************ Dr. Charles S. Hamilton, Officiating ** OBITUARY ** August 30, 1887 February 28, 1987 Reverend Robert Louis Boyd was born in Burke County, Georgia, near the town of Girard on August 30,1887. He was the oldest of three children of the union of Edenfield Felix Boyd and Kitty Bates Boyd. In addition to his whole sister and brother, Rev. Boyd had fourteen paternal and maternal half-sisters and brothers. Roberts early life was typical of that of a poor rural black child of the latter 1800s. He was very happy living with his parents and siblings, and he enjoyed the many visits that he made to the homes of his other close relatives and friends. Unfortunately, however, in 1894, when he was seven years old, his mother died, which changed his life radically. This was the beginning of his living with two step-mothers interspersed with periods of no mother. Nonetheless, he had a good father who spent considerable time and effort in caring for his children. In 1905, Rev. Boyd was converted and baptized by Rev. G. J. Campbell at the Beach Branch Baptist Church, Sardis, Georgia. Two years later when he was twenty years old, he was licensed to preach by Rev. Campbell and the Beach Branch Baptist Church. This was followed by his ordination. Upon reaching the age of twenty-one in 1908, Rev. Boyd enrolled in the fifth grade at Walker Baptist Institute of Augusta, Georgia where he remained until he was graduated from high school in the spring of 1917. In the fall of 1917, he entered the School of Theology of Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia, which he attended until 1920. On December 28, 1920, Rev. Boyd was married to the former Marie Shumake of Jenkins County, Georgia. This union, which lasted until Mrs. Boyd passed on June 30, 1979, was blessed with three children: Robbie Louise Boyd Clark, George Felix Boyd and Anna Mozel Boyd Byas. Rev. Boyd served as pastor of the following churches: in Burke County, Second McCoy, Williams Grove, Job Spring, Beach Branch, St. Paul, and New Springfield; in Jefferson County, Hartsgrove, in Richmond County, Palmer Grove; and in Augusta, Elim Baptist. In addition to his work as a minister of churches, Rev. Boyd served in the following capacities in Walker Baptist Association: President of the B.T.U. Convention, President of the Sunday School Convention, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Vice- Moderator, Moderator, and trustee of Walker Baptist Institute. Some of his religious activitfes which were not directly related to the Walker Association include President of the Ministers Association of Augusta and Director of the Bible Institute of the State Baptist Convention of Georgia. Rev. Boyd served also as a public school teacher in Screven County and Burke County, Georgia, and he traveled widely to attend conventions and religious conferences. Rev. Boyds life was truly one of service. He served God and humanity until God called him home. ************ ** SUMMARY AND ADDITIONAL SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION ** Name: Rev. Robert Louis Boyd Origin of Name: Robert (Paternal great uncle); Louis (Maternal great uncle) Place of Birth: Burke County, Georgia Date of Birth: August 30, 1887 Date of Death: February 28, 1987 Age at Passing: 99 years, 6 months, 0 days Years of service as a Baptist minister: 75 years Total number of churches served as pastor: nine Date of Marriage: December 28, 1920 Spouse: Mrs. Marie Shumake Boyd (deceased) Tenure of Marriage: 58 years, six months and two days Number of children: three (none deceased) Number of grandchildren: five (none deceased) Number of brothers and sisters: One whole sister; one whole brother (both deceased) *** Two maternal half-brothers; two maternal half-sisters (all deceased) Three paternal half-brothers (all deceased); seven paternal half-sisters (4 deceased) Number of persons whom he baptized: hundreds Number of persons whom he married: Scores Number of funerals that he preached: hundreds Number of funerals of ministers that he preached: approximately 25 Number of ministers whom he ordained: approximately 25 Number of deacons whom he ordained: approximately 60 Honors and Awards: Numerous . Positions held at time of passing: Moderator emeritus, Walker Baptist Association; Pastor emeritus, Hartsgrove Baptist Church, Elim Baptist Church, and New Springfield Baptist Church. ** Both of Rev. Boyds maternal half-brothers were Baptist Ministers, including Rev. Ezekiel W. Burke, who was once pastor of Young Zion Baptist Church of Augusta, Georgia, and founder of Tabernacle Baptist Church of Gastonia, North Carolina. PROCESSIONAL ** PROGRAM ** Presiding - Rev. J. S. Wright Moderator, Walker Baptist Association ................................... Largo Dvorak (New World Smphony) HYMN...................................... Amazing Grace .. Newton Stanley Page 492: 3 Verses INVOCATION Rev. Albert Horton SCRIPTURES Old Testament New Testament . Rev. R. F. Thompson Rev. E. W. Washington PERIOD OF MEDITATION................................... Mr. E. M. Johnson Organ Interlude - 4