ForeverMissed
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Her Life

Honorary Pallbearers

November 26, 2012

Ivan Boyd (nephew)

Pastor Ralph Duke (nephew-in-law)

Franklin Byrd (nephew)

Paul Barber (nephew)

A Celebration of Life

November 24, 2012

 

HELEN LENA BOYD was the fourth of six children born in Vienna, Virginia on May 3, 1928, to the marriage union of Samuel Boyd and Rose Carter Boyd.   Her five siblings and in-laws preceded her in death.  In the order of their birth, they were Mamie Savage (George), Lucy Gaskins (Adolphus), John Boyd (Louise), Helen Boyd, Pauline Barber (Theodore), and Estelle Madison.  Helen was educated in Fairfax County Public Schools. Helen was employed by the federal government for more than 20 years. She received numerous awards for outstanding service.  She also worked as a housekeeping aid at the Bethesda Naval Hospital where she was assigned to work with admirals, presidents of the United States including President Lyndon Baines Johnson, and U.S. Supreme Court justices such as Justice Thurgood Marshall.  

Sis. Helen Boyd was raised in the Baptist church and has been a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church since 1967.  She was a faithful member who paid tithes and offerings.  She served in the Flower Ministry and attended church until her health declined. She was a Washingtonian for over 50 years. She departed this life on November 21, 2012 at Washington Home Community Hospice after a long illness.

A daughter Beverly Ann Plair, niece, Dolly Gaskins, and nephew, Jonathan Boyd, preceded her in death. She leaves to mourn three first cousins, Jetta Watson, Elizabeth Wade, and Sarah Josephine Stell, a goddaughter, Phyllis McDuffie, as well as a host of nieces and nephews -- Judge Frederick Kenneth Foote (Kinnie), Juanita Boyd, Joyce Lee, Jarvis Savage (Myra), Franklin Byrd, Pamela Jean Duke (Ralph), Saundra Boyd, Ivan Boyd, Paul Barber, Marilyn Annette Barber and Minister Judge Claudia Barber. She also leaves to mourn a host of great nieces, great nephews, and many church family and friends.