Gwen J. Boyd

Gwen Boyd went to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 12, 2012 at the age of 93 years young. We are gathered here today to honor the life of Gwen Boyd, beloved sister, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She will be remembered as one who loved to be with her family and friends….her door was always open and she was always genuinely glad to see you.

She was a long time resident of Houston, Texas. Gwen was the third of six children born to Arthur L. and Sue Jones near Eldorado, Oklahoma, on June 5, 1919. She grew up on the family wheat farm doing the necessary chores while she also attended and graduated from Eldorado High School in 1937. She went on to attend the University of Oklahoma. While at OU, she got a job serving tables at a local boarding house where she met her future husband, William L. “Bill” Boyd. They married on September 23, 1941. They both graduated from OU in June of 1942; Gwen received a Bachelor of Science in Education and Bill received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. Bill immediately was commissioned as an Ensign in the U. S. Navy. Shortly before his deployment to the South Pacific, they welcomed their first son, Michael in November, 1942. Bill subsequently contracted tuberculosis while at sea and was shipped home to recuperate in a naval hospital and later returned to Eldorado for further rehabilitation. During that period, Gwen supported the family by teaching school. Later they moved to Sayre, Oklahoma where they both taught school. In 1947 they moved back to OU where Bill completed his Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1950. After a second graduation, Bill was employed by Conoco in Ponca City, Oklahoma where they welcomed their second son, Brian in March, 1951. In 1954 the family was transferred to Houston, Texas. Since that time, the Boyds have been long time members of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Gwen for over 50 years. During the 70s and 80s Gwen and Bill ran a few cows on a small spread near Hempstead – a get-a-way place for them to enjoy some fresh air on weekends away from the pressures of city life.

As a mother, she always put her family first and made many personal sacrifices for them. She was a constant source of support and encouragement to them. As a grandmother, Mimi spoiled all four of her grandchildren. She was also generous with her time volunteering at hospitals, thrift stores for the needy and her church. Gwen loved to play bridge and played with several different local bridge groups. She also loved to play “42” with the extended family and friends. Gwen also worked for a while at Sakowitz, and you may remember her picture on the front page of the Chronicle as she and others were “let go” the day Sakowitz closed down.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Sue Jones, her husband, Bill of 50 years, three brothers, Raymond, Ralph, and Weldon Jones, as well as her sister, Wilda Jones Gibson. She is survived by her younger sister Annetta Jones Hunter. She is also survived by her two sons, Michael Boyd and wife Jean, Brian Boyd and wife Dianne, her grandchildren: Craig Boyd, Ryan Boyd and wife, Diane, Tracy Boyd, and Ashley Boyd, her great grandchildren: Haleigh Sonka, Morgan Boyd, Seth Ferguson, Austin Boyd, Maci Boyd, and Alex Boyd.

She loved life and lived it to the fullest. She was thoughtful and extremely generous. She will be greatly missed but we will all be comforted by the wonderful memories that we cherish. Until we see you again, Mimi, we love you.