Ann Stripling Boyd

Ann Stripling Boyd, age 95, passed away on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at her home in Tallahassee, Florida surrounded by her family. Services will be held at 11:00 AM, EDT, Monday, August 6, 2012 at Killearn United Methodist Church in Tallahassee. Interment will follow at MeadowWood Memorial Park. The family cordially invites friends to visit with them at a reception held at The Woman’s Club of Tallahassee in Los Robles, Sunday, August 5 from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM. The family also requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the following: The Woman’s Club of Tallahassee Restoration Fund, P.O. Box 16101, Tallahassee, Florida 32317-1601; or the Alzheimer’s Project, 301 E. Tharpe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32303. Ann was born in Bonaire, Houston County, Georgia in 1917. She was the first born of four children to John Robert Stripling, Sr. and Estelle Greene Stripling. In 1925, her family moved to Hialeah, Florida. While attending Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia, she fell in love with fellow student, Joseph Arthur Boyd, Jr. eloping on June 6, 1938 to Athens, Georgia. They settled in Hialeah and Miami Springs and raised a family of five children. In 1969, Ann and her husband, Florida Supreme Court Justice, Joseph A. Boyd, Jr moved to Tallahassee. Tallahassee has been their home for the past 43 years. Ann attended Piedmont College, the University of Miami and graduated from Florida State University. They were happily married for 69 years until Joe’s death in 2007. The family and friends of Ann have been blessed knowing she was in their lives. She was known to light up the room with her great sense of humor. She was a lady of joy, encouragement, fun, compassion and leadership. She loved contagious laughter, especially among her children, to the very end. Her leadership skills were apparent in her service and civic duties, as she energetically and enthusiastically made our community a better place. Ann was actively involved in many organizations. As recently as this year, she was recognized as one of the “25 Women You Need to Know” by the Tallahassee Democrat 2012. Ann was honored as the recipient of the Sharon Vause Caregiver of the Year award presented by the Alzheimer’s Project, Inc. in 2008 in recognition of her volunteer work. She was recognized as the Tallahassee Woman of the Year in 1978. These recognitions are a tribute to the many contributions she made in making Tallahassee a better place to live. Ann was president and life member of GFWC Woman’s Club of Tallahassee and sponsor of the GFWC Tallahassee Junior Woman’s Club; president of Killearn Ladies Club, life member of Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Oleander Circle, life member of American Legion, Unit 32, president of the Hialeah-Miami Springs Business and Professional Women, president of the Hialeah and Miami Springs Chamber of Commerce, active volunteer for Alzheimer’s Project, member of Tallahassee Lion’s Club, charter member of the Seafarer’s Chapel at Shell Point, and member of the Tallahassee First Baptist Church couples Sunday school class. For many years she was the auctioneer for various civic organizations. Ann was active in helping to save the old Capitol building from destruction. Prior to moving to Tallahassee, Ann enjoyed a career which began as the assistant city clerk of Hialeah, Florida. She managed the law office of her husband, Joe, in Hialeah and became a very successful Realtor. Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph A. Boyd, Jr., her daughter, Joanne Boyd Goldman, her brother, John Robert Stripling, Jr. and her grandson, Matthew James Boyd. She is survived by her children, Betty Jean Jala (David), Joseph R. Boyd (Sue), James D. Boyd (Laure) and Jane Boyd Ohlin (John), 11 grandchildren, James Goldman, Thomas Goldman, Jason Jala, Joanne Jala Barnett, Joseph R. (Rob) Boyd, Jr., Jonathan Boyd, Stacy Boyd, Lindsay Boyd, John Patrick Bell, Cameron Ohlin and Ryan Ohlin, and 11 great grandchildren. She is survived by two sisters, Eunice Stripling Toms and Ruby Stripling Swezy and sister-in-law and college roommate Marie Stripling. The world is a better place for having Ann here with us. She will continue to live in our hearts and memories. The family gives special thanks to the extraordinary care by Dr. Rick Damron and caregiver Gloria McKinney and long time caregiver Paula Gruber of Home Instead. BEVIS FUNERAL HOME of Tallahassee (850/385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Boyd family.

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Ann Stripling Boyd

April 1, 1917 - August 2, 2012