Betty Boyd

Elizabeth Stimson "Betty" Boyd passed away on October 10, 2018 at the Gordon Hospice House from complications due to a stroke. A resident of The Pines of Davidson, Mrs. Boyd was born on November 17, 1930 and reared in Statesville, NC. Daughter of Benjamin Alston and Elizabeth Anderson Stimson, she married Richard A. "Dick" Boyd, MD in 1954 and they spent 51 happy years together before his death in 2005. She is survived by her children Elizabeth Boyd Rader of Mooresville, NC, Richard A. Boyd, Jr. of Statesville, and Martin A. Boyd (Lilia), of Sterling, VA. She is also survived by her grandchildren Ellie Rader, Christopher Boyd, Ashlon Boyd, and Alston Boyd (Daisy), one great-grandchild, Daniel F. Boyd, and a host of devoted nieces and nephews. Her sister, Nancy Hall of Chicago, also survives. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brother, Ben A. Stimson, Jr.



Educated in the Statesville city schools, Mrs. Boyd continued her studies at Women's College (UNC-Greensboro) and Watts Hospital School of Medical Technology in Durham. After graduation, she was registered with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and was employed in the Serology Laboratory at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While her husband was in his residency in Atlanta, she was chief medical technologist of the Serology and Blood Bank Departments at Emory University Hospital.



Relocating to Statesville in 1961, Mrs. Boyd devoted her many gifts and talents to her family, her church, and her community. She enjoyed planning and hosting family dinners, reunions, and parties of all kinds. An accomplished cook, she is remembered by her children for many wonderful recipes and meals, most especially her Brunswick stew. Dr. and Mrs. Boyd spent many pleasant hours together canning vegetables from their garden and sharing their bounty with others. As a lover of Shakespeare, classical music, literature, poetry, and art, Mrs. Boyd was a promoter of the arts throughout her life, and she played the piano beautifully. With her quick wit and gift for story-telling, she was often the life of the party. Always ready to travel at a moment's notice, the memories of her wonderful trips entertained her long after she returned home. Mrs. Boyd enjoyed all her friendships immensely and felt blest to grow up and raise her family in Statesville.



Mrs. Boyd was an active member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution for more than 50 years. She held many offices in Fort Dobbs Chapter, in the North Carolina Society DAR, and in the National Society DAR, including Chapter Regent, State Regent, and National Vice President General. She was particularly devoted to the DAR's mission to support the children of Crossnore School and to promote patriotism and respect for the Constitution and the flag. She participated in several DAR functions in Europe, most notably the bicentennial of the signing of the Treaty of Paris, and she rarely missed the annual Continental Congress in Washington DC.



Her work ethic and out-going personality made her a valuable asset as a board member of several local and state organizations, in real estate sales, in school or community volunteer efforts, and in the various civic groups she enjoyed: the Colonial Dames, the Medical Auxiliary, and the MacDowell Music Club. Mrs. Boyd was a member of the Statesville City Council for two terms serving as Mayor Pro Tem. A lifetime member of First Presbyterian Church, she taught Sunday School and served as youth leader, deacon, and ruling elder.



The family will receive friends at Nicholson Funeral Home in Statesville on Friday, October 12, 2018, 6:00 - 8:00 pm. A memorial service will be conducted by Reverend Ed Boyce and Reverend Grant Sharp at First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 11:00 am. Burial will be private. Memorials may be sent to the Organ Fund at First Presbyterian Church, 125 North Meeting Street, Statesville, NC 28677, Crossnore School, Inc. PO Box 249, Crossnore, NC 28616, Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, Inc. 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville NC 28623, or the charity of the donor's choice. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the Boyd family.



Donations may be made to:

Organ Fund at First Presbyterian Church125 N. Meeting Street, Statesville NC 28677Crossnore School, IncPO Box 249, Crossnore NC 28616Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County2347 Simonton Road, Statesville NC 28625Charity of Donor's Choice