James Hollis Boyd

James Hollis was born on August 12, 1935. As the oldest son of Hugh and Sadie Boyd, James

Hollis was brother to seven siblings. He attended Berry school in Nashville, TN where he won a

city championship in basketball and graduated 8th grade He then attended the Watkins Institute

until he joined the Army in 1953. After being stationed in Fort Chaffee, AK and Nuremberg,

Germany he made it to the rank of Sergeant and was in charge of a multi-vehicle motorcade.

After honorably discharging from the Army in 1957 James Hollis married his longtime and

childhood friend Dorothy Marie on November 9, 1957. Dorothy and Hollis shared an insatiable

desire to see the other happy and enjoy each other’s company. Their giving heart, and uncanny

ability to welcome people made them well known and respected in the community. Their loving

and beautiful marriage set an example for anyone that knew them.

On July 28, 1971 they welcomed their baby girl Tammy Lynn to the family. In Tammy’s

childhood the family enjoyed many road trips all over North America. Hollis found his truest

passion in his family, always finding the right words and ways to support and love the ones he

cared about. In 1989 Hollis gained a son, Donovan & became “Grandaddy”, living up to a legend

set before him by his grandaddy Papa Davis, to Tyler Jean Bishop. Tyler and Hollis had a bond

as unique as it was strong, each of them showing the other what it means to support and love.

Tyler had the spotlight until June of 2000 when granddaughter Victoria Vallentina Bishop was

born. They loved finally having a granddaughter & she became another light in their eyes and the

two of them showed each other how great it is to spoil someone and be spoiled. After marrying

Tammy in 2008, Bryan became Hollis’ son and he gained another granddaughter in Kitana. In

2018 he became a great granddaddy when Samara was born.

On a beautiful Easter Sunday morning, Hollis made a decision that changed his life forever. He

accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior. He devoted his life to Christ and got involved in

church. While at Woodbine free Will Baptist Church he became involved in the best ministry, in

which he led many children to the Lord. He was on the advisory board, & deacon board and

became a deacon of the year. He also played a vital part while being on the school board of

Woodbine Christian Academy. He was also involved in the Nashville South Kiwanis club, where

every year around Christmas time they would do a Christmas for kids and take underprivileged

children to Kmart where they could shop and get gifts.

After being discharged from the army, Hollis worked for electric service Inc., Gibbs auction, and

then on to have his own business named Boyd’s appliance repair. He was also co-owner of

Dorothy's Group Daycare in their home where he and Dorothy were able to show their love for

children on a daily basis.

Following the passing of Dorothy Marie in March 2010, Hollis moved in with his daughter in

Murfreesboro where he lived for 6 years before moving to the Tennessee State Veterans Home in

January of 2017. While there he made many new friends, became an even better witness for

Christ, and was able to shine his light for Jesus to many.

He is survived by his daughter Tammy (Bryan) Partain; grandchildren Tyler Jean Bishop

Victoria Vallentina Bishop their Father Donavan Jean Bishop and Kitana Partain; Great

granddaughter Samara Partin, brothers Joe (Helen) Gray, and Hughston (Theresa) Boyd.

Mr. Boyd is preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years Dorothy Marie Boyd; parents Hugh

and Sadie Boyd; brothers Melvin Wayne Boyd, Jerry David Boyd; and sister Delores Barnett.

Gathering of family and friends Friday, July 10, 2020 from 4:00-8:00pm at Roselawn Funeral

Home, also from 10:00am- Noon on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at The Grove Church, 10541 Cedar

Grove Road, Smyrna, TN 37167. Celebration of Life will begin at Noon also at The Grove Church.

Internment with military honors will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville, TN.