Mrs. Boyd
Carolyn Nell Leistra Boyd was born in Palestine, Texas, on July 11, 1943. After a lengthy illn ess, she passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus with her husband by her side. Her pa rents were John Fred Leistra and Zelma Lee Kiser Leistra. Because John served in the Army and Air Force, the family lived in numerous cities throughout the United States.
Carolyn was a creative person. She was a fine seamstress, quiltmaker, cook and her greatest passion was porcelain painting. Everything she crafted was meticulous and beautiful.
She loved the beauty of God’s creation and noticed every detail in it. She was known as “Miss Peabody” to the family, as she was always correcting our grammar.
She met her “sweet David” while she was going to Del Valle School. She was in the eighth grade and he was in the ninth. In their later years, he called her “his Rose.” They dated throughout their high school years and were “head-overheels” in love with each other. Fresh out of school, they married on July 22, 1960, and were married for 65 years. They became the foundation of a large family of what they called their “blessings.”
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Zelma Leistra; her only sister, Barbara Garverick; a grandson, James Debault; and a great-grandson, Lanny Thacker.
Survivors are her husband, David Harold Boyd Sr. of Rockdale; children Julie Chyrese Boyd of Rockdale, Brenda Lee Boyd Easterling and husband Tommy of Raleigh, Mississippi, David Harold Boyd Jr. and wife Dawn of Rockdale, Chloe Nell Boyd Skubal and husband Paul of Rockdale.
Also, grandchi ldren Lange Debault and wife Molly of Llano, Chyrese Thacker and husband Shane of Keller, Shannon Gray and husband Damon of Bedford, Blake Debault and wife Krista of Milano, Will Payne of Austin, Joshua Easterling and wife Deidra of Raleigh, Mississippi, Wesley Easterling and fiance Samantha Bass of Laurel, Mississippi, Abby Stovall and husband Bradon of Round Rock, A manda C affey a nd husband Austin of Rockdale, Michael Boyd and wife Mikaela of Anchorage, Alaska, Shaun Skubal and wife Gracie of Edom, Scott Skubal and wife Morgen of Rockdale, Cody Skubal and wife Jaycee of Rockdale; and 31 great-grandchildren.
She was a member of Forest Grove Christian Church in Rockdale Texas.
Interment will be at Forest Grove Cemetery.
She leaves behind a legacy of love, beauty, and faith that will continue for generations.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.