Mary Frances Boyer

Mary Frances Foster Boyer made her transition on December 11, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan just a few days shy of her 85th birthday.

Mary was the eldest daughter born to Bennie T. Foster and Gladys Banks Foster on December 18, 1940 in Bessemer, Alabama. She is survived by her sister W. Lee Cox (William) of Fairfax, Virginia. In addition to her parents, Mary was blessed to have the strong guidance of her grandfather, John Banks, and the rearing of her Aunt, Johnnie Mae DuBois (Edward). She also benefited greatly from the influence of her stepmother, Ora Foster.

Mary can only be described as strong willed and independent. Attributes which led her to move from the south to Detroit during her formative teen years. There she graduated from Northwestern High School. She later attended Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama. Mary soon left the south again to move to Chicago, Illinois.

Ultimately her tenacious spirit led her back to Detroit where In 1961 she married Carl Boyer and to that union were born four children: Carla, Carolyn (Darrick Robinson), Christopher, and Charlton. At the time, she attended True Love Missionary Baptist Church and in her later years recommitted her life to Christ privately.

After raising her children she was employed by General Motors. There she completed an apprenticeship which resulted in her becoming one of the first Black, female Journeyman Electricians at General Motors. For decades she skillfully navigated a male dominated field earning the respect of her colleagues and serving as an example for other women following behind.

After working 31 and 1/2 years at General Motors, Mary happily retired and completed the remainder of her days tending to her home, being with family enjoying her dogs, Caleb and Chloe.

Mary was the matriarch of her family and will be remembered for her quick wit, words of wisdom, and tough love. These characteristics were only matched by her deep generosity and the way she showed up for others when they needed her most. She had a knack for adopting surrogate family members giving them a place to feel welcomed which earned her many nicknames, but lovingly she was everyone's Granny. She enjoyed gardening, fashion, sports, interior design, bowling, and keeping abreast of current events. In addition to her children, she leaves to cherish her memory her niece,Tara Clark, her nephew, William Cox Jr., her grandchildren: LeAnn (Datron Davis), Brittiany (Michael T. Sanford II), Capricá, and Dominique, her great-grandchildren: Ledai, Datron, Daylen, Danielle, Jayla, Michael IV, and Myles and a host of family and friends.