By Staff
On Feb. 1, 2011, George Arthur Boyd passed away at his home in Washington, D.C. George was the fifth child of the late Jobe and Mary Smaw Boyd. George attended Beaufort County public schools, graduating with honors from Washington Colored High School in 1945. He enrolled in St. Augustine’s College in 1947 and graduated in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in physical science.
After graduation, George moved to Washington, D.C., and was employed in data processing with the Veterans’ Administration. He later transferred to the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) until he was called to active duty in the U.S. Army. After his military tour, George studied at American University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Graduate School and became an oceanographer, a field he worked in for 20 years. Following employment with NAVOCEANO, George moved to Mississippi where he worked at the Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) as Chief Equal Employment Opportunity Officer. He was charged with the development and implementation of EEO and Aerospace Center Programs in St. Louis, Mo., the Hydrographic &Topographic Center in Brookmont, Md. and the Offices of Distribution Services across the country. After 34 years of service, George retired from DMA, receiving an Exceptional Service Award for his dedication to the agency.
Even in retirement, George continued his service to the community, as he had become involved in many community projects and causes in his long life in the D.C. area. George was a community activist for more than 50 years. His community leadership roles included: City Commissioner for his D.C. neighborhood for 26 years, Board of Trustees member of St. Augustine’s College for eight years. He also served as treasurer of St. Augustine’s local and National Alumni Associations. In 1975, George helped organize the Gallaudet University Community Relations Council and served as its chairman from its inception. He has received more than 75 awards and commendations for his exceptional service to others — including recognitions from the President of the United States in 1970 and an Honorary Doctorate from Gallaudet University in 2002. Even with all of his community service and commitment, nothing took precedence over George’s love for his family and his desire and efforts to assist any of his siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins desiring to prosper and achieve their dreams. His fondest hope in life was that he would, by example and assistance, make a positive difference in the lives of all who met him.
George was preceded in death by his parents, eight of his siblings, all of his aunts and uncles, including his most-beloved maternal aunts and uncles, Everlee S. Mills, Clara Williams Godley, Herbert Gray Smaw &Robert Smaw, Sr. George leaves to cherish his memory three brothers: Rudolph “Rudy” Boyd-Washington, N.C., Augustus “AC” Boyd-Newark, N.J., and Milton Boyd-Washington, N.C.; two sisters: Mary Virginia Biffle and Lillie “Rebecca” Sutton, both of Washington, N.C.; five sisters-in-law: Leola (Milton), Brenda (“AC”) and Gwendolyn “Gwen” (widow of Herbert “Snook”-Washington D.C.), Jacqueline (widow of Theodore “Teddy”-Willingboro, N.J.) and Anna (widow of Fred-Washington, N.C.); a devoted friend, Thelma Dodson (Silver Springs, Md.); 12 nieces, 14 nephews, a host of great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held at Beebe Memorial CME Church Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, at 10 a.m. The family is receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the Leon Randolph Funeral Home and at others times at the Boyd’s Estate on Market Street Extension, Washington. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Beebe Memorial CME Church Building Fund. Services entrusted to Leon Randolph Funeral Home, 208 W. MLK, Jr. Drive, Washington, NC.
Paid Obituary