Jimmy Lee Boyd

Jimmy L. Boyd, 79, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2022, at Zilber Family Hospice House after a 3-year-battle with stomach cancer. He was born on February 13th, 1943 in Rossville,  Tennessee, the son of the late Sammie Boyd Sr. and late Mattie Williams Boyd. He grew up in Tennessee and was educated in the Stinson School District. As a child, he attended worship at the Stinson Chapel C.M.E Church, accepting Christ as his Lord and Savior. Several years ago, Jimmy became a member of Merton Avenue Church in Memphis, Tennessee. He attended services virtually on Sunday mornings and Wednesday night bible study.

He moved to Milwaukee in 1968 with his wife, Elsie, and their children. Initially, working at a factory as an assembly line worker. After his first wife passed, he met and later married Glenda  “Dee-de” Smith. As Jimmy’s career aspirations started to grow, he opened a bar on the East Side of Milwaukee called “The Black and White Inn.” Building a broad community of friends, acquaintances, and family throughout the city, Jimmy’s presence made a lasting impact on the people he interacted with. When the bar closed, Jimmy worked for several years at Helwig Carbon Products. When he retired, he was working at the Share Corporation. Because Jimmy loved to socialize and connect with people he drove as an Uber driver until his health no longer allowed him.

A loving father, grandfather, husband, uncle, and friend, Jimmy spent his life forming meaningful relationships with his loved ones. He loved to be busy and active and enjoyed spending his time hosting friends at summer kickbacks with his late wife Glenda, sharing laughs over long phone calls with his friends, and supporting friends and family in moments of need.  Jimmy’s love and impact will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his mother and father, first wife Elsie and second wife Glenda, siblings, Willie Mae Jackson, Sammie Boyd Jr, and Josephine Turner, mother-in-law Orell Thrower, father-in-law Thomas Smith, and sister-in-law Paulette Bush. He is survived by three sons Tony, Timothy, and Damon (Nikki), and one daughter Timolin (Eric). Eight grandchildren Tolandus, Tavaris, Travis, Takara, Trayton, Tristan, Raquel, and Tamia. His stepmother Bertha Boyd, four sisters Annette Hill (Cardale), Kathie Walthall (Melvin), Sinthia Stewart (Barry), Margaret Boyd, and brother Thomas Boyd. Sister-in-laws Veronica Smith and Donnie Mae Boyd and a brother-in-law Tommy Ray Smith. Aunt Betty Ricks-Mosby and Uncle Jace Ricks (Helen). Nine great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Gathering from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM with a service at 3:00 PM on Sunday, February 27, 2022 at Krause Funeral Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.