Published: May 14, 2008 09:37 am         

Lela "Sally" P. Boyd [Cumberland]

CUMBERLAND - Lela "Sally" Pearl Boyd, 88, of Cumberland, passed away Thursday, May 8, 2008, at her home.

Born Nov. 22, 1919, in Cumberland, the daughter of the late Otis Minnick and Sarah Elizabeth (Hughes) Minnick, Mrs. Boyd was also preceded in death by her husband, William F. Boyd; her son, William P. Boyd; her brothers, Harvey O., Walter S., and Clarence I. "Tuffy" Minnick.

Sally was a United States Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Women's Army Corps. She worked at the Celanese Fibers Corporation of America and, for a time, in the cafeteria at Northeast Elementary School. Her special gift in life was giving to and serving others. She belonged to the Happy Valley Homemakers Club and the Bowman's Addition Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. Sally was the 4H Leader for the Happy Valley 4H Club for 25 years and taught Sunday School at the Bethel Church of the Nazarene.

Sally's home was always open to any person or creature with a need. From hugs, to bandages, to cookies, and even splints on some small animal some neighborhood child would bring in for her special "nursing" care. She was "Aunt Sally" to everyone in the community and she loved us all. Her faith and her God gave her a special grace that allowed her to give all that was in her to others. She will leave a large hole in our world. Sally loved to have us all gathered around for a sing-a-long. Music was a part of her life. She also loved to sew and enjoy making all types of costumes for her many "children" for plays, activities and for Halloween. Sally dressed numerous children and dolls for us and for missionary donations.

Sally is survived by her loving daughter, Sara A. Gernat and her special friend, Robert Barnard; her grandsons, Eric W. Gernat and Robert A. Gernat, all of Cumberland; and a special niece, Sally J. Mitchell, whom she raised as her own, and her husband Mike, of Cumberland. She is also survived by her favorite big brother, G. Lamar "Moose" Minnick, of Cumberland; her sisters, Annetta Lusiak, of Sycamore, Ill., June Phillips, of Cumberland, and Van Lew "Mickey" Ethington, of Tucson, Ariz.; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends who were held so dear by her and who returned her love in equal measure.

Friends will be received at the Adams Family Funeral Home, P.A., 404 Decatur St., Cumberland, (AdamsFamilyFuneralHome.com) on Sunday, May 18, 2008, from noon to 1 p.m.

A memorial service will be conducted in the funeral home on Sunday, May 18, 2008, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. David Dayhoff officiating.

The family requests that memorials be to the church or charity of your choice.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff at the WMHS-Braddock Campus Oncology Department and the WMHS Home Hospice Care, as well as a special thank you to Uncle Joe Boyd for his strength and support these last weeks, and to Aunt June, for her tender, loving care of her sister.