Martha "Lou" (King) Boyd

Martha “Lou” (King) Boyd, age 85, after a series of major illnesses, departed this earthly life for Heaven on September 6, 2026. She was born February 22, 1941 near Calamine, Arkansas to Ellis and Junia (Thompson) King.

Martha overcame great physical challenges in her earthly life to graduate from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1971 and began her teaching career at Evening Shade, Arkansas that fall. She went on to teach High School at Poughkeepsie, Arkansas for eight more years while also adding a Master’s Degree and Specialist Degrees from ASU in Jonesboro. She continued this career by directing the business program at the former Gateway Vo-Tech School in Batesville, Arkansas.

During her life, along with her husband, Martha was a business owner and entrepreneur. She had another career at Central Arkansas Planning and Development in Lonoke, Arkansas; finally retiring in 2010 at the age of 69.

Martha was a hard worker her entire life, never making or accepting excuses. She took great pride in her work whether outside in the garden or in a classroom. She was so thankful for many things such as; the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren along with the joy of her great grandchildren, many friends and church family. Elite Hospice-especially Judy and Becca; but most of all, her security of knowing her eternal destination after this life.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 60 years, Harold (Shelton)Boyd; her two sisters, Margie Emerson and Shelby Hughes; and a brother, Gary Wayne King.

She is survived by her son, David Boyd of Cave City, Arkansas; her daughter, Vallerie Boyd Cargill of Van Buren, Arkansas; her grandchildren, Kevin Boyd, Megan Cargill, and Andrew Cargill; four great grandchildren, J.J., Kala, Jaxson, and Amelia; her sister, Geneva (King) Emerson; many cherished nieces and nephews; along with other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Rings Chapel Missionary Baptist Church on Highway 58 in Cave City, Arkansas at 2:00 p.m. with Bro. Phillip Lewallen and Bro. Brian Garrett officiating. She will then be laid to rest next to her husband in the Parsley Cemetery east of Cave City, near Calamine, Arkansas.

A visitation will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026 at the church from 1:00 p.m. until service time.

Pallbearers will be Kenny Boyd, Lily Morrow, Andrew Cargill, Nathaniel Eddington, Kenny Curtis and Steven Boyd Sr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Harry Curtis, Dean King, Bernard Boyd and Vernon Gann.