FUNERAL TODAY FOR PIONEER RESIDENT OF NOLAN COUNTY

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. this afternoon for Mrs. Martha Jane Boyd, 85, colorful pioneer, who had lived in Nolan County 62 years. F. B. Shepherd of the Sweetwater Church of Christ officiated at the old home place on Bittercreek.

Mrs. Boyd died Monday afternoon at the Sweetwater Hospital after being seriously ill at her home for the past two weeks. She had been in ill health for a long time. Death followed a minor operation on Sunday.

Born Sept. 10, 1860 as Martha Jane Byrd, she came to Nolan County from Brown County 62 years ago. She was married to Eli Coffee, and after his death, married W. H. Boyd, who died May 23, 1935.

Survivors are five sons, Eli Coffee of San Angelo, Joe Boyd of Midland, John Boyd of Mertzon, Bill Boyd and John Boyd of Sweetwater; and five daughters, Mrs. D. Rounsaville, Mrs. Francis Rasberry, Mrs. Nick Williams and Mrs. M. D. Chitwood, all of Sweetwater, and Mrs. Gerald Witt of Los Angeles, Ca.

Also surviving are three step-children, Charles Boyd of Sweetwater, Jess Boyd of Petersburg and Mrs. Lou Brown of Phoenix, Ariz.; 16 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Jeff Byrd of San Angelo; and a half-brother, John Thompson of Brownwood.

Grandsons served as pallbearers. Burial was made in the Plumcreek cemetery.

From The Sweetwater (TX) Reporter, Tuesday, July 16, 1946, Page 1
*********************
NOLAN COUNTY DEATH CERTIFICATE

Name: Martha Jane Boyd
Death date: 15 Jul 1946
Death place: Sweetwater Hospital, Sweetwater, Nolan, Texas
Cause of death: Senility; arteriosclerotic heart disease; strangulated inguinal hernia
Gender: Female
Race or color (on document): White
Age at death: 85 years 10 months 5 days
Birth date: 10 Sep 1860
Birth place: Mo
Marital status: Widowed
Spouse name:
Father name: George Byrd
Father birth place:
Mother name: [Mary Frances]Smith
Mother birth place:
Occupation: Ranching
Residence: Nolan, Texas
Cemetery name:
Burial place: Plum Creek, Texas
Burial date: 16 Jul 1946
Informant: Lizzie Rounsaville, Trent, Texas
Film number: 2218379
Digital GS number: 4030562
Image number: 553
Reference number: cn 33330
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976
******************
FAMILY PHOTO DETAILS:
L-R Back Row: Lawrence Edward "Joe" Boyd, Elmer "Bill" Boyd, George William "Bud" Boyd, John Archer Boyd, Ella Jane Boyd, Mellvina "Mell" Boyd
L-R Front Row: William Henry Boyd, Martha Jane (Byrd) Coffee Boyd, Bertha Irene "Irene" Boyd