Obituary for Shirley Mae Boyd (Nelson)
Shirley Mae Nelson Boyd left this world to join our Lord and Savior on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019. She
was 90 years old. Born on May 2, 1928, she spent most of her formative years in New Orleans, LA. When
she was a teenager she moved with her family to Philadelphia, PA, where she met and later married
Bernard Boyd Jr. whom she called Bernie. They were married for 26 years and together raised six
beautiful children. After their divorce, she moved to California to be closer to her mother and siblings.
For the past few years, she had resided with her oldest son, Kenny, in Dover, DE.
When Shirley was in her early 30’s, after having her fifth child, she attended nursing school and became
an LPN. Ten years later, she went back to school to obtain her RN degree. Nursing was a profession she
enjoyed, and she worked hard at it.
Shirley was a fun-loving person with many different interests. She had a beautiful soprano voice and was
often called upon to sing solos with the church choir. She became an avid bowler and was also known to
roller skate. She loved to entertain and often cooked for the many friends she made throughout her life.
Shirley is survived by her six children – Kenneth Boyd (Sharon), Dover, DE; Keith Boyd (Gretchen),
Ormond Beach, FL; Kevin Boyd (Patti), Baton Rouge, LA; Karl Boyd (Nancy), Murietta, CA; Karen Boyd
Benn, Newmanstown, PA; Kim Boyd Overman, Wake Forest, NC; 13 grandchildren, and numerous greatgrandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, Helen E. Rudd,
her sister, Winifred Dunipace, her brother, Richard C. Henley, and her grandson, Seth A. Boyd.
As per her wishes, there will be no funeral; instead her children will hold a celebration of life party, and
her ashes will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, a state near and dear to her
heart
was 90 years old. Born on May 2, 1928, she spent most of her formative years in New Orleans, LA. When
she was a teenager she moved with her family to Philadelphia, PA, where she met and later married
Bernard Boyd Jr. whom she called Bernie. They were married for 26 years and together raised six
beautiful children. After their divorce, she moved to California to be closer to her mother and siblings.
For the past few years, she had resided with her oldest son, Kenny, in Dover, DE.
When Shirley was in her early 30’s, after having her fifth child, she attended nursing school and became
an LPN. Ten years later, she went back to school to obtain her RN degree. Nursing was a profession she
enjoyed, and she worked hard at it.
Shirley was a fun-loving person with many different interests. She had a beautiful soprano voice and was
often called upon to sing solos with the church choir. She became an avid bowler and was also known to
roller skate. She loved to entertain and often cooked for the many friends she made throughout her life.
Shirley is survived by her six children – Kenneth Boyd (Sharon), Dover, DE; Keith Boyd (Gretchen),
Ormond Beach, FL; Kevin Boyd (Patti), Baton Rouge, LA; Karl Boyd (Nancy), Murietta, CA; Karen Boyd
Benn, Newmanstown, PA; Kim Boyd Overman, Wake Forest, NC; 13 grandchildren, and numerous greatgrandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, Helen E. Rudd,
her sister, Winifred Dunipace, her brother, Richard C. Henley, and her grandson, Seth A. Boyd.
As per her wishes, there will be no funeral; instead her children will hold a celebration of life party, and
her ashes will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, a state near and dear to her
heart