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July 3, 1919
Elder John L. Boyd, son of Jonathan and Mary Boyd, was born in Russell County, Va., March 19, 1842, and died June 20, 1919, aged 77 years, 3 months and 1 day. He was married to Jennie Remines, November 27, 1861. To this union were born 7 sons and 4 daughters. Sister Boyd died about 1884 and Elder Boyd was again married to Miss Martha A. Grizzle, daughter of Jesse and Nancy Grizzle, on October 25, 1885. To this union were born 5 children, 2 sons and 3 daughters, making in all, 16 children - 9 sons and 7 daughters. Twelve children, with his widow, Sister Martha A. Boyd, survive him.
He joined the church at New Garden at a meeting held at the funeral of Martha Ball about 1877, and was baptized by Elder John Wallis. He soon commenced exercising a gift in public, and was ordained to the full work of the ministry. He traveled a good deal among the churches and labored earnestly for their peace and welfare. He labored hard to make an honest living, and decently support his large family, and that he might have something to spare to help the poor and needy. He married a great many people, attended a great many buryings, and baptized a great many people.
He was a soldier in the Great War between the states, and was a brave soldier and did his duty as he saw it. This faithful soldier has now laid down his weapons, and is at rest. "Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep from which none ever wake to weep."
He would get up and start before day many times to fill his appointments, and ride until late in the night to return to his dear family. He has enjoyed the approbation from his Master, "Well done, good and faithful servant; Enter thou into the joys of thy Lord." He was ready to look over and make due allowances for the weakness of others, and to freely forgive the penitent. Let us try to emulate this godly example, and walk as children of the light.
He enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all good people. He was elected, and served the county one term as Commissioner of the Revenue. A great and good man has fallen in Israel. Notwithstanding his mind was flighty at times, and his memory failing, the scriptures were fresh in his mind and his firm hope was in Jesus. He remarked to the writer, who visited him just a short time before his death, "It is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost."
He believed in us letting our light shine, glorifying God by an upright life, letting no filthy communication proceed from our mouths, and thus he has so well and faithfully exhorted us, by word and example, he will be missed in the community, in the dear church of God, and at his dear home, where only his lonely widow and youngest son reside. May God bless her and the bereaved children with a spirit of resignation to God's will, and to remember that our loss is Elder Boyd's eternal gain, even an eternal weight of glory.
Prepared by order of the church at New Garden, Russell County, Va., July 3, (Saturday) 1919. (John L. Boyd's obituary was published in the Primitive Baptist Monitor in 1919.)
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