Obituary

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

2 Timothy 4:7-8

Mrs. Barbara Smiley Boyd, age 75, departed this life on April 26, 2025, in McDonough, Georgia. Barbara was born in Hinesville, Georgia on December 23, 1949, to the late Warnell and Phoebe Holmes Smiley.

Barbara was a woman of unwavering strength and boundless love. She was known for her passionate hugs, gentle spirit, and steadfast faith. She graduated from Liberty County High School in 1968 where she was an all-star point guard in basketball. After High School, she pursued a degree in Nursing. Barbara was employed with Liberty Memorial Hospital and worked numerous jobs to include Labor and Delivery and General Surgery. She later moved to Winn Army Community Hospital where she worked in General Surgery until she retired in 2014.

At an early age she dedicated her life to Jesus Christ and became a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Ludowici, Georgia. She married her High School sweetheart, Reverend Edward Boyd, May 23, 1970, in Ludowici, Georgia. From this union they were blessed with two loving and devoted children Catherine and Phoebe. She served as a faithful and compassionate First Lady for several churches alongside Reverend Boyd for over 40 years. She later attended and joined Live Oak Church in Hinesville, Georgia.

Barbara was dedicated to her family and was always there with a listening ear, a comforting touch, and a heart full of compassion. She loved to exercise and taught aerobic classes at Newman Fitness Center and Live Oak Church. She also enjoyed traveling and singing in the choir. Her favorite song she enjoyed singing with her sister Fairlee Smiley was "Walk Around Heaven" by The Mighty Cloud of Joy.

She was preceded in death by one sibling, Ms. Fairlee Smiley, and her husband Reverend Edward Boyd.

She leaves to cherish her memories to her devoted children, Catherine Howard of Stockbridge, Georgia and Phoebe (Marvin) Jones of Fairburn, Georgia; five sisters, Mrs. Rosa Frazier of Hinesville, Ga., Mrs. Gladys (Abraham) Alston of Midway, Georgia, Warnella (Parnell) Wilder, LaShonda Sheppard of Hinesville, Georgia; two grandchildren, Troy Howard, Jr of Hinesville, Georgia and Mya Howard of Misawa, Japan; one brother in law, Phillip (Donna) Boyd of Ludowici, Georgia; three sisters in law Phoebe Brenda Smiley of Ludowici, Georgia, Angela (Mose) of Stanford, NC and Anna Kay Cummings of Walthourville, GA; a childhood best friend for over 70 years, Birdie Harris of Washington, DC; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins,two god sons, other relatives, church family and friends who will miss her dearly.