Mary Wilson Boyd, 89, of Houston, Texas passed away peacefully at home December 29, 2017 after a long courageous battle with Parkinson's disease.

Mary was born in Petersburg, West Virginia on February 21, 1928 to the late Wilson C. and Nellie R. (Smith) Deadrick. She received a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences from Berea College, Berea, Kentucky where she met and married the love of her life, Gene Boyd. She continued her studies at Eastern Kentucky University where she pursued a master's degree. Mary began her career as a teacher, but her life was dedicated to being a homemaker and taking care of her family. Though her family kept her very busy throughout her life as Gene's work took them to various cities in seven states, Mary always found time to follow her love of tennis at which she exceled. When injuries forced her to retire at 72, she was playing on three teams and usually winning.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Alice Fleming and Lee Anna Deadrick and brothers Frank, George and Robert Deadrick. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Gene Boyd; sons Gene Boyd Jr. and wife Sissy, Jeff Boyd, and Brad Boyd and wife Susan; daughter Cindy Ward and husband Bill; seven grandchildren Jennifer, Stephanie, Blake, Jeffrey, Allison, Amy, Megan and four great grandchildren Caleb, Connor, Cora and Avery.

Memorial Services will be conducted on Thursday January 4, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Bear Creek United Methodist Church. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the hospice organization of one's choice.