Mildred Estelle Oglesby Boyd

ORANGE CITY, Fla. - Mildred Estelle Oglesby Boyd, 98, passed from this life on March 29, 2011, at Fish Memorial Hospital, Orange City, Florida. Born July 4, 1912, her life was dedicated to her Lord and Savior and her loving family. Active for many years in PTA, Scouting, Craven County Home Demonstration Club, the Eastern Star, and Riverside and Trinity Methodist Church, she was also recognized for her leadership in the Woman's Society of Christian Service of the United Methodist Church throughout the United States. Mrs. Boyd was listed in "Who's Who of American Women, 1968-69." She was director and teacher of the Riverside United Methodist Church Kindergarten in New Bern, N.C., for over 20 years. In 1993 she moved to the Florida Lutheran Retirement Home in DeLand, Fla.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 51 years, Charlie H. Boyd, Sr., son Charlie H. "Buzzy" Boyd, Jr., and daughter June Faris Boyd Sherman. Although she mourned their deaths, she told her Pastor, "They were God's before they were mine, and He just lent them to me so I have to accept whatever He decides."

Mrs. Boyd leaves a loving family to mourn and celebrate her life: proud daughters Joyce Ann Boyd Hodge Granger (Charles) of DeLand, Fla., and Mildred Jean "Bunny" Boyd Stirrett (Bill) of Jacksonville, Fla.; adoring grandchildren Clifton Lee Sherman (Sue) of Hurdle Mills, N.C., Frank Reynolds Sutton III (Joan) of El Cajon, Calif., Edward Lee Sutton IV of Jacksonville, Fla., Jo Anna Pillsbury (Sam) of Rochester Hills, Mich., Joe A. Hodge, Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., Charles "Chuck" Boyd (Ellen), Michael John Boyd and their mother, Brenda Boyd Gray all of Norfolk, Va.; treasured great-grandchildren Cliff Boyd Sherman (Sara) of Raleigh, N.C., Matthew Thomas Sherman of New York, N.Y., Edward Lee "E.J." Sutton V, Olean, N.Y., Harley P. Sutton, Alex N. Sutton, and Codey N. Sutton of El Cajon, Calif., Catherine Elizabeth Boyd of Norfolk, Va., Blaze and Ace Hodge of Jacksonville, Fla. and Andrew and Emma Pillsbury of Rochester Hills, Mich.

Mildred Boyd answered to many names: Mother, Granny, Grandmother, Mother-In-Law, Dearest, Miss Mildred, Mrs. Boyd and Aunt Mildred. When the Lord looked down upon her to call her Home, He said "Well done," and called her "My Good and Faithful Servant."

Services to celebrate the life of Mildred Estelle Oglesby Boyd will be held on April 16 at 1 p.m. at Cotten Funeral Home in New Bern, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Florida Lutheran Retirement Home, 450 N. McDonald Ave., DeLand, FL 32724 (For the Health Center Wheelchair Fund).

Condolences may be sent to the Boyd family at cottenfuneralhome.com.

Paid obituary

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