Johnnie Margurite Boyd Obituary in Richmond at Scotts Funeral Home

Obituary For Johnnie Margurite Boyd

Johnnie Margurite Dave Boyd, the youngest of 11 children, transitioned to Glory on the evening of Tuesday, June 9, 2020. Johnnie entered the world on June 11, 1938, in Cedartown, Georgia, and was born to John Marshall Dave and Carrie House Dave. Having no children that carried his name and knowing that this bundle of joy was “the last,” Johnnie Margurite became his namesake. During the Great Black Migration, John Dave heard that there were better opportunities outside of Cedartown, so he moved his family and settled in Knoxville, Tennessee, in January of 1939. Johnnie was a creative and precocious child, who found herself always in trouble because of her mouth. She was very inquisitive and was always asking questions of her parents, siblings, nieces, nephews and neighbors. Her keen ability to research “a matter” and “ask why” would serve her well in the future. Johnnie was a product of the Knoxville school system and graduated with honors in 1956 from Austin High School. She left home for the first time to attend Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in Library Science. In her junior year, she was recognized as one of the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Johnnie enjoyed serving and being organizationally involved and pledged the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated on December 7, 1957. In 1960, she graduated from Clark College and immediately completed her Master’s degree in Library Science at Atlanta University. While on a bus trip to Lanett, Alabama with a college friend, during a break from Clark, she caught the eye of a tall, lean young Alpha man from Morehouse College named George Lee Boyd. His uniqueness and inquisitive nature intrigued her, and a friendship ensued and a relationship developed. Upon his graduation, they went their separate ways. He went to the Navy, and she went to graduate school. It wasn’t until she received a package in the mail that contained a note from then Petty Officer 2nd Class George and an engagement ring that their relationship rekindled. The two married on April 22, 1962, at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, DC. Following his discharge, the newlyweds moved to Petersburg, Virginia, briefly, while George completed his graduate degree, and then they made their permanent home in Richmond, Virginia. “Johnnie Boyd,” as she was affectionately known, served as an Associate Librarian at Virginia State College while in Petersburg and upon relocating, obtained a job as a librarian at Maggie Walker High School. In 1970, she became the first Black Librarian at George Wythe High School, where she served as its head for almost 30 years until her retirement in 1997. Those that knew Johnnie knew that she had three loves. Her first love was music. Singing was what she did to find peace and calm her soul. From childhood, she was known for her operatic first Soprano voice and her incredible vocal range. Her singing voice allowed her to travel domestically and internationally. Over 50 years she lent her voice as a vocalist of Richmond’s First African Baptist Church, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and Faith Landmarks Ministries choirs, the Delta Pearls, along with other local chorales and choirs around the city of Richmond. In her later years, she found joy in acting and performed on numerous local stages. Her second love and in her words, “my most greatest accomplishment,” was her daughter, Marguerite Rosina, that she birthed in 1967, after eight arduous months of bed rest. She found pride and pleasure in serving, guiding, encouraging, mentoring, and being a cheerleader and advocate for her daughter. She burst with joy, to whoever would listen, about how she contributed to Marguerite’s growth and success. In 1997, she acquired a son, Darnell Ernest, by marriage, and in 1999, she witnessed the birth, firsthand, of her grandson, Darnell Emmanuel, who never ceased to amaze her because of his love for reading and his intellectual prowess. Thirdly, Johnnie loved to read and was never without a book, at times reading 5 to 7 books in a week. Fiction, Non-Fiction, Mystery, Drama, Self-Help, Romance, Theology, History, Comedy, all genres made her smile. She was a gatherer of information and felt content, sharing this information with others. She found passion in words and linguistics and could be found in her spare time, diligently and intently working her crossword puzzles. Following the death of her husband in 1999, her thirst to pursue knowledge led her to enroll herself, at the age of 64, into the Faith Landmarks Ministries Bible Institute, completing a two-year ministerial training course in 2004. She further educated herself at The Baptist Theological Seminary of Richmond, earning a Master of Divinity degree in 2010 at the age of 72. She was ordained as a minister through the Faith Landmarks Ministerial Fellowship in 2014. After completing her education, she used her signature smile for service for many years, as a volunteer greeter at the Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Hospital, where she also served as an assistant to the facility’s chaplain. When visiting Faith Landmarks Ministries on Friday afternoons, you could always find her pleasing personality and colorful disposition at the reception desk, where she served with the Landmarks Office Volunteer Team. Johnnie Margurite Dave Boyd is survived by her daughter, Marguerite Rosina Boyd Faison, her son-in-love, Darnell Ernest Faison, her grandson, Darnell Emmanuel Faison, her BFF, Ms. Fosterlyn Perkins, her devoted neighbor, Mrs. Gale Washington Jones and numerous nieces and nephews. Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd. where viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 18 with a walk through visitation with the family from 5 to 7 p.m. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 19 at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Pilots Lane, Richmond. A memorial Service and an Omega Omega Service in Richmond and a memorial service in Philadelphia will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Circle Center Adult Day Services, 4900 W. Marshall Street, Richmond, VA 23230. Please reference “In memory of Johnnie Boyd” in the memo section. Services will adhere to numerical and social distancing guidelines as per the Governor.

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Mrs. Boyd was a wonderful human being who opened both her home to me and her heart when I first came to Richmond, Virginia to work in the school system there back in 1996. I will forever be in her debt and that of her late husband, George Lee Boyd, who mentored me and guided me from the moment I met them until the days they passed into Glory. I miss you both. God bless and know that you are missed.

May you be comforted during this time, Threatts family

We loved you Mrs.Boyd. Thank you for you guidance. Mrs.Dorene Mayes GWHS Class of 1976

My thoughts and prayers are extended to the family of Mrs. Boyd. May your precious memories and the sympathy of friends help to comfort you during this time. I have many pleasant memories of her during my years in RPS and her beautiful voice in the Ebenezer Baptist Church choir. RIP. Dennis Winston

May Our Lord, Jesus Christ bless the Boyd family. I knew Mrs. Boyd because I worked with her husband, George Boyd. Mr & Mrs. Boyd were very nice & knowledgeable people. I treasure the knowledge that I received from both of them. May God bless and keep Marguerite & her family. Sylvia Seaborne

Mrs. Johnnie Boyd is my mother's lifelong friend and she extended that friendship to me. She will be dearly missed and not forgotten. Even at a young age I noticed that she always carried herself in a stately manner which I admired. I don't think she realized how many lives she touched with her smile, her beautiful soprano voice, and her words of encouragement. She always had time to educate the younger generation and I was impressed with her wealth of knowledge in various subjects. Her work as an educator reached far beyond the walls of the library or the classroom and her years at George Wythe. Mrs. Johnnie had the ability to spark someone's mind with a thirst for learning. She pursued everything in life with zeal and determination and encouraged others to do the same. She leaves behind a legacy of lifelong learners who will continue to pass on her torch. - Wendi McIver

MISS BOYD, I knew her husband Mr Boyd always so nice, I though he was very educated. Found out he lived in eye contact. I met Miss Boyd through a neighbor, that beautiful smile, her eyes would light up. She talked logic and seem to really care. Charming and a wonderful lady. I will miss her. Loretta Adkins

When I heard I cried and seemed like time just stood still. I didn't want to believe it. I met Ms. Johnnie when I became one of her caregiver's almost 2 years ago. She was my first client adter working for ABC for three weeks. I fell in love the first day. I was a little nervous because I didn't know how she would receive me with having dementia. But it went smoothly. I would pick her up daily from her day care after work and take her home and be with her until 9:30pm. I felt at the time she came into my life the right moment because I was going through a lot and needed her as she needed me to care for her. She became my grandma and that's what I called her and she was okay with that. My memories of her will forever be in my heart. We shopped, we went out and ate, we went to church, anywhere she wanted to go or need to do I was her taxi. Oh how she loved to eat my goodness. She said child you put your foot in this food. Loved watching her read books. And every night her daughter would call and before they would get off the phone Ms. Johnnie would say a prayer that done my heart so full of joy. The day she left to be in philly with her daughter. My heat hurt so bad because I knew I was going to miss this jewel right here. But I prayed that she would be alright. That somehow and somewhere she would never forget me. Rest in heaven Ms. Johnnie oh today I played our favorite gospel song. Love always christie.

Mrs Boyd will be sorely missed by me and my parents. She was always smiling and happy to see us whenever we saw each other. I remember sitting on her front steps after a hurricane and we just talked for over an hour. Best neighbor we could have ever had.

Marguerite, The human side of us are sadden by the passing of Johnnie. The spiritual side is celebrating because she with her Heavenly Father and of her love ones who perceived her in gaining their wings. Sorry that we can't be with you in person at this time. Please know that you are in our prayers and thoughts. Deepest Sympathy Your Cousins, Charles & Debra Jones

From Debbie Diamond Mashore & Jeffrey Mashore, Richmond, VA

Marguerite, we are so sorry to learn of your mother's passing but I know she has gone to a beautiful place!! We have known her for such a long time, from the Ebenezer choir to her being our librarian when we attended George Wythe High School! She was a sassy lady and was quick to let students know there was to be no mess in her library! Bless you and your family with the peace and comfort that comes with the passing of time and knowing you have so many friends who are thinking of you at this time.

I extend my deepest sympathy to Johnnie's family. I met Johnnie at Faith Landmarks Ministries, and I will always remember her wonderful smiles and hugs. What a wonderful woman of God! Now she is in heaven, praising the Lord with her wonderful voice Angela Galante

I was on the faculty while Johnnie was a student at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. She was an eager student and was always smiling, even when she was feeling stressed. She was a member of the seminary choir which I directed and her soprano voice was a lovely addition to the group. May she rest now in peace and rise in glory. Deborah Carlton Loftis

Johnnie is remembered as a member of the Ebenezer family and we also were members of the AARP Chapter 390. She was always one of my favorite soloist. May she rest in peace. My sympathy and prayers for the family. Deacon Sandra L. Reed

My heart goes out to the family of Johnnie Boyd. I taught English at George Wythe with her, enjoying both her friendship and help. She helped my classes with their research projects year after year, always coming to my class to share with the students available resources for their use. She made a difference in the lives of many young people. Her's was a life well iced, and I pray for the comfort and peace for her daughter and family. Sharon Moeser

I will miss my friend Johnnie Marguerite Boyd. We have shared so many experiences together. We were neighbors, mothers, educators, sorors and friends. We raised our girls, Terri and Marguerite together as friends. I will miss hearing Johnnie's beautiful voice as she sang with the Delta Pearls. We sang together for more than 40 years. Johnnie loved Delta Sigma Theta. I can hear her singing Delta songs in heaven. Goodnight Johnnie. We hear you and we love you,C4873BK Shirley Seay

Ms. Johnnie Boyd was a second Mother to me. Having met her during the time of my education at Maggie L. Walker High School (1968-1971), she became my confidant and stood in the breach for me during a very trying time in my life. Her love and support for me continued throughout my music journey in Richmond. I could always count on her being somewhere in the audience to cheer me on. Her loving kindness, encouragement and jovial spirit was ever present in all our dealings. I will forever be grateful to her for her understanding and unconditional love.
I thank God for her and will cherish her memory now and always.
Larry J. Bland