Sylvia Jill Boyd

Sylvia Jill Boyd passed on March 11, 2025 at her home in Durham, NC surrounded by family. Jill was born on January 15th, 1948 in Powell, Wyoming, originally named Margaret Jill McNeill. She was raised by her loving parents Sidney and Sylvia McNeill in Oklahoma City, OK. Later in life, she was reunited with her biological father Kenneth Lee Hedrick and family but was unable to meet her mother Margaret Sanders prior to her death.

Her early adult years focused on raising five children and all that comes with being a mother and running a household. Her kids and grandkids will always fondly remember her gentle back scratches, unwavering support, endless hours of watching Disney/Pixar movies, and playful tickling. Many special moments were spent together during holiday celebrations and family trips to the mountains and beaches. Jill’s deep love for all children and welcoming spirit led to lifelong relationships with her kids’ cousins and closest friends, along with many other friends and neighbors, who also considered her their second mom and mentor.

To lighten any occasion, Jill was always ready with a joke followed by her boisterous laughter. She knew no strangers and expressed love for all. Music was her one true love and she enjoyed attending live music events, sharing music videos, painting, and caring for her houseplants and gardens.

Over her lifetime, she lived in Oklahoma, Kansas, and New Mexico, and found her final home in North Carolina. She loved watching her grandsons play soccer, walks through historic Durham neighborhoods, taking pictures of flowers in Duke Gardens, and listening to music in Duke Chapel.

Jill earned a bachelor’s degree in family and human services from Washburn University and worked in a variety of jobs over her lifetime including AT&T switchboard operator, hospital transporter, restaurant manager, and census surveyor. She always spoke with great loyalty of her time as a grocery store cashier in Chapel Hill, NC.

Jill is survived by her five children: Windy Boyd (partner Janet Shaffer), John Boyd III, Mary (husband Justin) Ogden, Matt (wife Jessica) Boyd, and Kelly Boyd (husband Michael Garber); her grandchildren: Tanner Ogden, John Boyd IV, Chance Ogden, Romeo Lassiter, Reilly Boyd, Chandler Boyd, Paige Ogden, Stiles Travis, Maya Ogden, Nolan Boyd, Gage Boyd, Harper Boyd, Mia Garber, and Emma Garber; and great grandchildren: Delilah, Olivia, Tate, Sebastian, Carter, Caden, Ayden; her nephew Michael DeSpain, his wife Evelyn, and children Aidan and Hannah; and so many other friends and family she truly loved.

Jill was a relentless fighter and never wanted to give up. Through multiple debilitating health issues including lung cancer, she maintained her strong will and focused her concern on those around her. While the family was proud of her strength, we are comforted that she is now at peace. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that charitable donations to the organization of your choice be made in Jill’s name. Celebrations of Jill’s life will be held at later dates in Kansas and North Carolina.