Mary Frances Boyd

Mary Frances "Fran" Boyd, born on December 18, 1939, died Saturday, March 9, 2024, peacefully in her home at the age of 84 after battling Alzheimer’s.  

 

She grew up a military brat traveling the Eastern US and Europe with her parents then met and married her soulmate Bill while living in Fort Walton Beach in 1957 after which she continued those adventures as a military wife. In 1968 while her husband was stationed at AFRTS in Hollywood they both became involved with the Academy and worked together to help build it to what it became.  She loved travel, the sun, music, and her family.

 

She was one of the first power women in Country music having joined the Academy of Country Music in 1968 as the executive secretary and working her way to become the Executive Director of the organization in 1995.  In addition to overseeing year-round operations, she also served as Talent Producer of the ACM Awards, coordinated the organization’s annual ACM Bill Boyd Celebrity Golf Classic as well as the annual star-studded Christmas party.  In 1999, R&R magazine named Boyd as one of “Country’s Greatest Women” in the Sept 24th Century of Country special issue. 

 

She was tough when she needed to be, determined when she had to be, had a wicked sense of humor, knew how to get things done, always stood her ground to support new and emerging talent, yet still always found a way to make everyone feel like family.. 

 

She retired from the Academy in 2002 after 34 years of service to the music business. 

 

She is survived by her daughter Shari Boyd and son Bill Boyd Jr. (JR).  She was preceded in death by her husband Bill Boyd.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations to Alive Hospice Nashville or the Alzheimer’s Association in her honor would be appreciated.