Obituary for Rev. John Kearfott Boyd, Sr.

Rev. John Kearfott Boyd, Sr., age 90, formerly of Dublin, VA, passed away Monday, April 22, 2019 in Lynchburg, VA.

Kearfott was born on May 22, 1928 in Henderson, NC to the late Rev. Joseph Alston Boyd, Sr. and Sydney W. Kearfott Boyd.  Kearfott was a graduated of Lees-McRae Junior College, East Tennessee State University, and Union Columbia Theological Seminary.  Following graduation from seminary, he accepted the call to Draper’s Valley Presbyterian Church where he served from 1957 to 1960.  Following his first pastorate, he served at Hillsville Presbyterian Church and New Providence Presbyterian Church.  Kearfott moved to Collinsville, VA in 1966 to organize the First Presbyterian Church of Collinsville where he served until 1974.  At that time, he accepted what was to be his last pastorate at New Dublin Presbyterian Church in Dublin, VA.  Following his retirement in 1992, he continued to serve in various pastorate roles.

Kearfott was also preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Cornelia Bassett Boyd, as well as two brothers Joseph Alston Boyd;  James Armstead Boyd, and one sister Nancy Boyd Barker.

Kearfott is survived by four children:  Anne Boyd Simmerman (Don), of Dublin; David Boyd (Susan), of Forest, VA; William Boyd (Lynn), of Floyd, and John K. Boyd, Jr.; six grandchildren: Rachel Simmerman, Jordan Ward (Taylor), Hunter Boyd, Taylor Boyd, Sydney Boyd, and Matthew Boyd; two great grandsons: Gavin Farmer and Pace Ward.  Also surviving is one sister, Evelyn Boyd Clark (Frank), of Macon, GA; as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family will be receiving visitors on Friday, April 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at New Dublin Presbyterian Church in Dublin, VA.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 27 at 11:00 a.m. at the church.

Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski, VA.