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Helen Alberta “Birdie” Boyd, 87, was born in Hermanville, Maryland on May 24, 1937. Mrs. Boyd, formerly of Dover, Pennsylvania and now of Greenville, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 12, surrounded by her loving family.

A visitation was held on Saturday, June 15, at Dunklin Funeral Home beginning at 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at Mount Royal Full Gospel Church in Dover, Pennsylvania with Pastor Richard Shearer officiating.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Ira J. Boyd, Sr.; young daughter, Catherine Mae Boyd; parents, August “Gus” Krannabitter and Sarah Greenhalgh; sisters, Colleen Blackburn, Katherine Hunt; grandson, Jeffery Blanton USMC (who died serving his country); grandchild, Heather Ann Boyd; great-great grandchild, Angel Baby Flores-Martinez.

She is survived by her children, Ira J. Boyd, Jr. (Patrick Hayes), Micheal J. Boyd, Susan Hunter (Daniel), Franklin “Daryl” Boyd (Doris “Dutch”), Sandra Cline (Clayton), daughter-in-law, Denise Boyd; grandchildren, Heidi Boyd-Kuntz (Tad), Holly Rugh (Peter), Aaron Rugh, Aubrey Fishel, Amber Elle, Alisha Boyd Zimmerman (David), Michael Boyd, Jr., Daniel Hunter, Jr. (Brandy), Karie Barto (Corey), Jessica Enterline (Dane), Brittney Boyd (Hannah), Stephen Boyd, Kim Runkle (Jeff), Sarah Derr (Matthew) and Katelyn Billet (Rex); sister, Gertrude Irene Swick; along with many loved and cherished great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Birdie was a feisty God loving woman who was adamant that her family knew who their God was. She testified and spread the Good News to everyone she came in contact with, every chance she got. 

She attended Mt. Royal Full Gospel Church in Dover, Pennsylvania where she sang on The Hour of Freedom Broadcast faithfully with her husband and children for many years before moving to South Central Alabama. 

She had a love for anything sweet and adored her honeybuns and ice cream. She drove school bus at the Northeastern School District for 33 years and loved each and every day that she was able to preach the gospel to the kids who had the privilege of riding on bus #12. 

Alberta attended the Georgiana Senior Center for many years after moving South; volunteering her time to help run activities and serve meals. She enjoyed sewing, crochet, cooking, and doing crafts in her spare time. 

She was the undisputed matriarch of the Boyd family and made us all into what we are today, which is Boyd Strong. 

Her greatest legacy that she leaves behind to carry on her good works is her children and her children’s children. Nothing made her happier than for her family to gather together with their guitars and sing gospel music. “God On The Mountain” was her favorite song to sing and what a blessing it was to hear her sing it each and every time. 

To know Birdie was to know the Lord. She was a God-fearing Pentecostal woman who earned her place in Glory, and will now spend eternity with her beloved husband, Joe in Heaven. 

For online condolences, please visit www.dunklinfh.com.