Delton Boyd Sr.

Delton D. Boyd Sr. passed away peacefully on September 20th, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.

Delton was born in Elizabeth City, NC on March 18, 1950. He was raised by his entire close-knit community of grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts and neighbors. He attended Mt. Lebanon AME Zion church in Elizabeth City and enjoyed his youth alongside his siblings and cousins. They have fond memories of him playing drums on the tin roof and starting a band on Shepard Street.

Delton was a busy and enterprising young man. He was a Boy Scout at American LegionLinton J. Sutton Post 223 and he had a job delivering newspapers. He graduated from P.W. Moore High School where he played drums in the band, was a member of the football team and won two state championships and was all-conference in his senior year.

Delton received his undergraduate degree from Elizabeth City State University. He moved to Columbus, OH in 1972 and met Janice (Jan), his future wife in 1975. He and Jan began a life of adventure together, had three children and the family were members of Union Grove Baptist Church and Trinity Baptist Church. Never allowing the distance from North Carolina to affect his commitment to family and community, he thought nothing of piling his wife and children into their van for a 13-hour road trip adventure on every school holiday. These road trips instilled in his children a sense of family, community, fun and adventure. They were always filled with the anticipation of a loving community awaiting them and gave Delton Jr., Dionne and Devon the confidence to explore unabashedly. His venturesome spirit continues to thrive in them to this very day.

Delton had the unique ability to make those around him feel seen and special. He made family out of friends and acquaintances and surprised people with his ability to be so generous with his attention and care. Friends and family knew that if they were interested in something, “Boyd” would be too. He brought this capacity for supporting and nurturing those around him to his professional life as a teacher in the Columbus school system. Starting out during the turbulence of busing and integration, Delton taught black students who were being bussed in from other areas of town as well as their white counterparts. Later, he was tasked with preparing his students for the working world with Occupational Work Experience. He coached junior high track and basketball and high school wrestling and football and was immensely proud of the time he spent as the senior class advisor at Linden McKinley HS. Delton loved teaching and didn’t limit himself to teaching in school. He was always teaching everybody, everything, all the time.

Delton was passionate about photography. After taking it up as a child, he later opened “Boyd’s Studio”, a silk screen and photography business and introduced his students to the artform at every opportunity.

He was recognized by the Professional Photographers of Central Ohio, African American Photographers of Central Ohio, Columbus Education Association, and many other civic and social organizations. His photographs captured real people living real lives and his love for those around him remains with us thanks to the moments he caught with the profound tenderness and inherent joy that was core to his own larger-than-life being. He was fun, kind and always had jokes to tell.

Delton is preceded in death by his son Kenneth Allen Fulk, father Willie Ervin Boyd, mothers Geraldine Ward Boyd, and Mary E. Boyd. Brother and Sister-in-Law Shelton and Gail Boyd. He is survived by his wife Janice Smith Boyd, 3 children Delton D. Boyd Jr., Dionne A. Boyd, Devon (La’Tina) Boyd; 5 grandchildren Delton David III (Trey), Taryn and Lauryn Boyd and LeRoy and DeLina Boyd; brother Ricky (Alice) Boyd, 2 sisters Pam Jackson and Cassandra Boyd; nieces and nephews Christine (Vernon) Sledge, Michelle Wells, Jonathan (Reina) and Kenneth; Bethany Sherman Boyd; Benton (Shauna) Boyd, Kristopher (Alexandra) Jackson, Nigel and Chad Boyd. Bonus children Shon Hemsley, Matt Johnson, Will Murry, Denise Seman, a host of beloved bonus grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, great nieces, nephews and friends.

Please consider making a donation to the Elizabeth City State University Foundation in Delton D. Boyd Sr. 's name class of 1972. Please visit https://vikingsforward.ecsu.edu/project/29724/donate to make your gift online or mail to The Elizabeth City State University Foundation, Inc., PO Box 1467, Elizabeth City, NC 27906-1467. All contributions will support the creation of the ECSU Delton D. Boyd Sr. and Kenneth Allen Faulk endowment for students who need emergency funds. Fund designation - select “other” and note “Delton D. Boyd Sr. Endowment”

If you choose to send flowers, please use the information available on the Mitchell Funeral Care and Cremation website.