Madelyn Grace Boyd

Boyd, Madelyn Grace, 86, of Tampa, Fl., passed away Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at Heritage House Nursing Center, in Valdosta, Ga.
A graduate of H. B. Plant High School, she earned her bachelor's degree in music, from the University of Tampa, and later her master's degree from Peabody Teacher's College. While her intentions were never to teach, her love of sports led to her career in physical education. She began teaching in Tampa and Brooksville schools, prior to spanning the decades at Monroe Junior High, where she retired as a favorite teacher and educator. Ms. Boyd often said her love of sports gave her the children she never had.
Born May 4, 1926, a lifelong Floridian, she was raised in South Tampa. Ms. Boyd fondly remembered her childhood, raised in the Palma Ceia neighborhood on Bay to Bay, fishing with her brothers, swimming, riding bikes, and sports of all kinds, always surrounded by a large family, and bound by love.
Madelyn Boyd is preceded in death by her parents, George Earl and Mary Maude; two brothers, George E. Boyd, Jr., and Robert F. Boyd. She leaves a brother, Carl E. Boyd, of Tampa, and sister, Sylvia Boyd Prairie (Don) of Valdosta, Ga. Two beloved sister-in-laws, Hazel N. Boyd, of Suwanee, Ga., and Teresa Boyd, of Tampa. And, Telma Boyd, a dearly loved and treasured member of the family. Madelyn also leaves cousins, nieces, nephews and friends whom she mentored, loved and cherished; taught many to throw a baseball, shared her love of fishing, history, travel, adventure, and the joy of simplicity. She inspired all who knew her. A champion of the Boyd clan, encouraging all to keep family tradition and memories alive.
At her request, no funeral service is planned. However, a memorial to honor her life will be celebrated at a later date in Tampa, the home town she adored. Carson-McLane Funeral Home, of Valdosta, Georgia is in charge of the immediate arrangements. Condolences may be conveyed to the family at www.mclanecares.com.
The family asks those wishing to make a donation in her honor, to do so with your local Hospice, or a Parkinson's disease research/ support program of your choice.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602