The peace of the Lord reigned down upon Curtis Richard Boyd, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, brother and friend on March 26, 2021.  Through heart felt prayer and the strength of heaven, he fought valiantly during his last moments on earth, yet his soul waited patiently for the calling of the Lord to return him back to His kingdom.

Curtis Richard Boyd awakened to life in this world, July 8, 1920, to the joyful embrace of his father, the late Watson Aaron Boyd and his mother, the late Annie Sarah Boyd in Charlotte, North Carolina.   After spending studious years at Second Ward High School, with a gift for science particularly biology, he continued his studies at his esteemed alma mater, Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte, North Carolina.  He received a degree in biology.  Extending his knowledge of microbiology, physics and chemistry, he planned to attend medical school, but was soon called to duty and was drafted into the war, where he fought bravely beside other unsung African American heroes in World War II.  Before embarking on this dangerous journey, he met the lady who would keep the light in his eyes for more than half a century, his beautiful wife, Marie.  She preceded Curtis Boyd in death on September 25, 2011.  Together, they shared the glorious bliss of raising two loving daughters, Deborah and Michelle (Alpha and Omega as he called them, the first and the last) in bustling New York City.  In 1972, the family relocated to Mantua, NJ the birthplace and childhood home of his wife, Marie.  He loved his home in Mantua and enjoyed spending many hours working in his yard and admiring his work.

During his days of debilitation, Curtis Richard Boyd renewed his faith, believing that the Lord would be with him in the hour of his death.  In his century of life, he inspired and touched the lives of many others;  those whom he knew and those who admired his brave and joyful spirit that continued through the moment of his passing.

Curtis Boyd was one of seven children, all of whom preceded him in death, Melvin Boyd, Grady Boyd, Columbus Boyd, Oren Boyd,  Watson Boyd Jr. and one sister, Nellie Boyd Flanders.

He is survived by his daughters Deborah Small (Donald) and Michelle Smith (Grady), his grandchildren Evan Small (Amanda), Maya Smith ("Brown Sugar" as he affectionately called her) and Grayson Smith, his great grandson Kevin Daniel Small, his nieces Lisa Boyd, Abby Flanders, Gwendolyn Blackmon, Goldwyne Owusu, Annie Hinton, Melvina Person, nephew James Flanders Jr., and a host of great nieces and nephews.