Evelyn Boyd

On Tuesday, February 1, 2005, at 2:10 pm, Evelyn Orr Willis Boyd went home to be with her God, Savior and Creator, Jesus Christ. She was a patient at Sunplex Sub-acute Center, Ocean Springs, where she had been for 18 months in long-term care. Mrs. Boyd was predeceased by her beloved husband of 42 years Coach Vernon Clay Boyd, their second born child, a daughter, Bettie Evelyn Boyd Endt, her parents Mr. and Mrs. John Christopher Willis, as well as five sisters and her only brother: Irene Willis, MargieLee Willis Hamlin, MaryEunice Willis Moore, Marie Willis Suto, Margaret Willis Andrews and John Marvin Willis, and a son-in-law, Robert K. Daniels. Evelyn was 90 years old at her death. She was born May 15, 1914, in Vernon, AL./Lamar County to John Christopher and Alma Lillian Willis. Both of Evelyn's parents were farmers. She attended some elementary school years in Vernon, AL. before her parents purchased land in Tibbie, MS., a rural farming community between West Point, MS., and Columbus, MS. From her home in Tibbie, her senior year she attended a girls finishing school in Amery, MS. Her first year of college was at Mathiston Junior College in the town of the same name. Mrs. Boyd, was Evelyn to her parents and siblings, but known as Lena to her college sweetheart and husband Clay, a pet-name he gave to her while they both were students at the University of Southern Miss., Hattiesburg. The friends she made after marrying Clay called her Lena as did the three sons-in-laws they would later have. Evelyns' survivors include: two daughters, Billie Boyd Daniels, Diamondhead, MS., and Jane Boyd Beaugez, Ocean Springs, one son, Willis Clay Boyd of Slidell, LA., and two sons-in-law, Alvin C. Endt and Henry Beaugez, both of Ocean Springs. Mrs. Boyd is also survived by fourteen grandchildren and twenty four great-grandchildren, all who loved her very much, and today share fun and fond memories of days gone by. Pauline Willis Mitchener who lives in Columbus, MS., is Mrs. Boyds only surviving sister. She is very dear to Evelyn and distance could not separate their hearts love. Pallbearers for the memorial service will be all grandsons, Kelly Daniels, Clay Daniels, Bill Daniels, Mark Endt, Jason Beaugez, Brandon Boyd, and Rodney Bond. On Friday, February 4, 2005, there will be a 2:00 P.M. graveside service in Evergreen Cemetery in Ocean Springs. Family, friends, and community are invited to attend. It is the desire of Evelyn Boyd that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs-Building Fund, P.O. Box 668, Ocean Springs, MS., 39566-0668. Mrs. Boyd, her husband and four children were all members of this church, joining in 1949 after moving to Ocean Springs where at the time Coach Clay Boyd would be head football and baseball coach for Ocean Springs High School. The Presbyterian Church and Ocean Springs Schools were the Boyd Family's most active "out of home" places to be. New address is HEAVEN! The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.