Mary Alice Boyd

Mary Alice Hudson Boyd, of Haralson, GA passed away on Friday, August 19, 2022. Mary Alice went to meet the Lord after 93 purpose-, faith-, and love-filled years. She was surrounded by her family who lifted her spirit with her favorite hymns as she was reunited with her George. Born on July 9, 1929 to William Hill Hudson, Sr. and Mary Corinne Hudson, Mary Alice completed the family, following her older brother, William Hill Hudson, Jr. She spent most of her youth in Shelby, North Carolina, graduating from Shelby High School before continuing her education at Salem College and receiving a Home Economics Teaching Certificate. While at Shelby High, Mary Alice tallied achievements across a broad range of interests, including: Achievement Award, Glee Club, Operetta, Recitation Medal, Marshall, Spanish Club Vice President, Home Economics Club Secretary, National Honor Society Treasurer, Senior Class Secretary and Yearbook Staff. Her family is still trying to discern where she found the time! Mary Alice met the love of her life, George Rellie Boyd, Jr., as a young teenager while vacationing at Clearwater Lake in Sharpsburg, GA. Mary Alice found eager accomplices in George's mother and sister who encouraged the romance (though honestly this love story didn't need much assistance!) Ever the independent woman, following Salem College, she moved to Atlanta and took a job with Rich's Department Store. She lodged with George's parents during the week when he was in law school and moved out to a nearby boarding house on the weekends when he returned home. Mary Alice had an eye for fashion - we're not sure if any of those Rich's paychecks made it home with her or if they were "reinvested" in the company. George and Mary Alice married in 1951, and were blessed with four children, seventeen grandchildren, and nineteen great grandchildren during their nearly 70 years together. Mary Alice chose to "retire" from Rich's following her marriage and devoted her energy to building a home, raising their children, and supporting George as he built Boyd Tire Company, the family business. Their love was one for the ages, one that neither time nor the ravages of Mary Alice's Alzheimer's disease could tear asunder. Until their earthly union ended, they were tireless partners, smitten sweethearts, and set the example for resilience as their relationship evolved over time. Beyond her family, Mary Alice, alongside George, found great purpose in her church community. She was a longtime member of Cliftondale Baptist Church in College Park, GA and most recently, Haralson Baptist Church in Haralson, GA. She was also a bit of a card shark and social butterfly, devoting Friday nights to bridge with friends. She loved Carolina blue, unless it was on a Cadillac, which should of course be red. She was a gloriously southern cook, preparing countless Sunday dinners complete with cornbread, fried okra, country fried steak, squash casserole, homemade rolls with preserves of every flavor and banana pie, among other favorites. And she could scoop poop with the best of them, well into her later years, helping George create the beautiful family retreat, White Oak Farms. Even after Alzheimer's robbed her of much of her memory, she radiated joy, reminding us that no matter what the weather was doing, it was a beautiful day and that nothing would please her more than for us to "be together". Mrs. Boyd is preceded in death by her husband, George R. Boyd Jr., parents, William Hill Hudson Sr. and Mary Corinne Hudson, brother William Hill Hudson Jr., her grandson Wade Drew, as well as her great grandson, Clay Hardin. She is survived by her four children: George R. Boyd III and his wife Sharon, Mary Jan Webb and her husband Tommy, Claire Boyd Drew, and Hudson Boyd and his wife Dawn; her seventeen grandchildren: Shannon Hardin, Terry Hardin, Meagan Ruth Dickerson and her husband Kevin, George R. Boyd IV, Kelli Webb, Kristin Webb and her husband Steven Wilt, Tommy Webb and his wife Hannah, Kimberly Webb, Seth Webb, Lee Webb and his wife Niki, Mary Bess Webb, Jason Drew, Allen Drew and his wife Stephanie, Nathan Boyd, Brooke Boyd, Hayleigh Merk and her husband Chad, Jessica Strickland and her husband Jim; and nineteen great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Alice's memory can be made to Georgia Baptist Children’s Home, The Alzheimer’s Association, or Christian City. Parrott Funeral Home in Fairburn, GA will be handling the arrangements for the memorial.

Mary Alice Boyd

July 9, 1929 - August 19, 2022