“We knew someday that you would fly away,
for love’s the greatest healer to be found.
So leave us if you need to,we will still remember.
Angel flying too close to the ground. “
-Willie Nelson
Our beloved angel Patsy Ann Boyd passed away in peaceful sleep on Monday, March 30, 2020, after spending the previous day surrounded by her entire loving family. Patsy was born June 12, 1939 to Roxie Mae and Robert Joseph Repass , Sr. She was a graduate of Maury High School in Norfolk, Va.
Patsy met the love of her life, James R. Boyd, III, while on a double date with other partners! It was love at first sight, and they were married a few short months later in Norfolk, Va. She worked in the management of a family business (Repass Iron Works) for most of her career. She also served many years as Admissions Director at Tidewater Psychiatric Institute. She and her husband, Jim, shared a passion for helping youth in need. She volunteered for years as a co-director with Norfolk Olympia baseball league, and more recently served for many years as Secretary for the Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Association, a “boot camp” type program for teens in need.
Her greatest joy in life was her family, particularly her grandchildren. She also loved to travel, watch her Washington Redskins, listen to the Eagles really loud in her car, shop at Macy’s, and cook wonderful southern meals for her family. She was a gentle, nurturing Southern Lady who gave her all to those she loved. Her favorite time of year was Christmas, when she decorated extensively and celebrated joyously.
She had a quiet, deep and abiding faith in God. She will have many loved ones greeting her in Heaven, led by her most-beloved husband of 61 years, “Granny”. Her father and mother, Robert and Mae, will welcome her home, along with her brothers William and Robert, Jr. She will also be greeted with love by her precious niece, Carol Carper.
She leaves behind a beautiful legacy in the form of a large family who all loved her most dearly. She is survived by her four children and their spouses ; Patricia Fisk (Lawson), Robert (Teresa), James, IV (Melissa) and Leslie Bonis (Dan). She also leaves behind her 9 grandchildren, her pride and joy; Joseph Boyd, Katie Blair, Jen Wild, Amy Boyd, Christina Whitehurst, Lisa Morris, Kimberly Boyd, Bridgette Boyd, and Jack Fisk. Additionally, 11 great-grandchildren will dearly miss their “Mammie”; Cameron, Dominic, Charles, Declan, Carey, Lyndesy, Kellen, Christian, Joseph, Jr., Michael and Connor. She will be especially missed by her niece and nephew, Jackie Dillard and Joseph Repass.
A graveside service will be held at a future date at Knollkreg Cemetery in Abingdon, Va, where she and her husband’s remains will be laid in eternal rest in their family plot.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Commonwealth ChalleNGe Support Association in her honor can be sent to CCSA, 1549 Harbor View Cove, Virginia Beach, Va 23464.
Rest easy, Mama. The Circle will remain Unbroken.
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Amy posted on 4/3/20
I think what I’ll miss most about Mammie is the way she always listened. No matter what I was talking about she always heard me. And her praise of “that’s real nice, Amy”, when coming from someone else might seem insincere, but from her it was so genuine. It’s something my dad says too, it’s his most heartfelt compliment. That’s how I know he really approves of something. And it’s nice to know he got that from his mama. All the family dinners at her house - her rolls and the corn pudding that no one can ever make as good as she did; Easter egg hunts when she tried to make sure all the grandkids got a special egg; going into the hall closet to get the bop-it or pogo stick; heading out on the front porch to have a chat. Our Christmas ice skating and movie trips her and Granny would take all the cousins on. I like to think her and Granny are together again, how they were always meant to be.