Person Page 5

Obituary -- Locke Funeral Home, online at https://www.lockefuneralservices.com/obituaries/5797/matthew-j-boyd

Matthew J. Boyd

May 16, 1951 - March 28, 2023

Matthew J. "Matt" Boyd, 71, of Waterloo, died Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehab from complications of dementia. He was born May 16, 1951, in Waterloo, the son of Dick and Meg Kennedy Boyd. He was a graduate of Waterloo East High School and almost completed a drafting program at Hawkeye Tech but walked when given the choice between cutting his hair or graduating.

His activism continued in a hippie commune/restaurant in Trumansburg, NY, which served vegetarian food during the week and live music and meat on the weekends to make money. There, Matt had the chance to party with Robert Moog, inventor of the first commercial synthesizer.

He married Cynthia "Cindi" Sudderberg on January 14, 1973, in Trumansburg, NY, they were later divorced.

Matt worked as a Laminate Fabricator for Sterling Tops in Denver, IA for over 30 years.

Matt enjoyed cooking and was especially known for his spaghetti sauce and love for hot peppers in his chili. He loved playing the guitar and gardening. He had a knack for building beautiful but "heavy" creations for family and friends.

Matt was a dedicated and consistent advocate for the improvement of neighborhoods on the northeast side of Waterloo, including not only his own Highland Neighborhood, but many others as well. In the early 2000s, he helped form the Waterloo Neighborhood Coalition. which pulled together many of the city's neighborhood associations to work on common problems. He served as its president for several years.

In 2009, he and Cheryl Faries pursued a dream of honoring the artistic achievements of people in that part of town. They created the North End Arts and Music Fest, which is now in its 14th year. The Fest brings together a variety of visual and performance artists and is recognized as a positive community celebration. Whenever there was work to do, whether the physical labor of priming art panels or the organizational labor of making sure all elements of the Fest came together, Matt's engagement and support could be counted on.

Matt became an active member of Jubilee UMC in 2008 and is credited with being the visionary for the creation of the Northend Arts and Music Festival (NEAMF), which debuted on the grounds of Jubilee UMC in 2009. As part of the festival, Boyd played a critical role in the development and maintenance of an Art Wall that was placed on the south lot of Jubilee UMC. The Art Wall showcased the incredible talents of local artists who enjoyed the visibility and attention given to their respective bodies of visual art work.

Not only was Matt active with the NEAMF, but he also played an integral role in the nascent stages of LeChristopher's Southern Cuisine℠ in 2011, which is housed at Jubilee UMC Freedom Center. LeChristopher's is a restaurant-styled ministry of Jubilee which catered to a very diverse audience every second Sunday of the month before COVID-19. It served various soul food delicacies that tickled the palates and imaginations of tens and tens of patrons since 2011. LeChristopher's is still active but in a more limited capacity.

He thoroughly enjoyed and loved his church family. He will certainly be missed by Jubilee's leadership, congregation and larger community alike. Many believe that Matt personified the Contagious Hospitality, Extravagant Generosity and Gracious Commitment to Justice expounded by church leadership every Sunday, and the beloved community remains challenged to emulate the personal example set by Matt in both his personal and corporate relationships. He acknowledged that the greatest commandment to Love was paramount in the Believer's life, and he tried to love and "pray with his feet" every day until he was called home.

Matt deeply admired Etheleen Wright, a blues musician from Waterloo, and was one of those who suggested recording her story. The documentary Getting That Note Out would not have been possible without his patience, sense of humor, and willingness to chauffeur band members and equipment to multiple locations! He lives on in the documentary and in our hearts.

Left to cherish his memories include a son, Josh (Jessica) Boyd of Eugene, OR and their children, Harrison "Harry" Stacy and Franklin "Frankie" Boyd; a daughter, Kelly Boyd of Waterloo; a bonus daughter, Kia Faries of Arlington, TX; a bonus son, Prenton "Burna" Dixon, Sr. of Waterloo; and bonus grandchildren, NaZiya Dixon, Prenton Dixon, Jr., A'Miracle Dixon, and Mar'Kii Sallay; a special friend, Cheryl Faries of Tampa, FL; and three nieces, Margot Boyd of New York City, Jessica Boyd of Santa Rosa, CA, and Anne Boyd of Corvallis, OR.

He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, David Michael "Mike" Boyd and Patrick "Pat" Boyd.

A family directed Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.

Memorials: may be directed to Jubilee United Methodist Church, 1621 E 4th St, Waterloo, IA 50703, or the Waterloo North End Arts and Music Festival, North End Cultural Center Inc. PO Box 2761, Waterloo, IA 50704.

Locke at Tower Park assisted family with arrangements 319-233-3146. Online condolences may be left at www.lockefuneralservices.com.

Obituary -- Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Wednesday, 17 AUG 1988, p.53 (Newspapers.com):

BOYD -- Dan S. Boyd, 53, resident of Belen, NM, died August 16th. He is survived by his wife, Shirlee Boyd, two daughters, Kimberly Boyd Wolfe of Mt. Vernon, IA and Kassandra Boyd of Belen; two sons, Jon Boyd of Ithaca, NY and Ian Boyd of Belen; one sister, Mary Boyd Ellis of Gallup, three grandchildren, Zachary Wolfe, Thomas Wolfe and Nathan Wolfe; and his close friend of forty years, Dr. Jack Ellis of Albuquerque. Dan was an art teacher in the Fairfield, Iowa Schools, and elementary teacher at Zuni, NM with the Gallup McKinley School System. He received his B.A. from Northern Iowa University and his M.A. from the University of New Mexico. He was a Program Specialist at UNM for the Navajo Teacher Education Development Program. He was an administrator in the Belen and Grants Public Schools. In 1984, he was President of the New Mexico Association of Elementary School Principals. In 1985, he was named Outstanding Administrator of the Year by the South Central Association of Elementary School Prinicipals. Dan leaves behind a deep commitment to the possibility of excellence in the public schools and the importance of strengthening the Language Arts Curriculum through writing and the necessity for Fine Arts Programs in schools. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Belen on Thursday, August 18th at 7:00 PM. Following the service a fellowship time will be held at the Church by the Youth Group. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a scholardship fund for Kassandra and Ian Boyd at the Rio Communities Branch of the First National Bank of Belen.

Obituary -- Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Sunday, 17 FEB 1980, p.76 (Newspapers.com):

BOYD -- Danita S. Boyd, 76, resident of Belen, passed away at a Belen hospital Friday night, following a long illness. She was a member of the United Church of Christ. She is survived by her husband, William S. Boyd of Belen, one son, Dan S. Boyd of Belen, one daughter, Mary Boyd Ellis of San Francisco; seven grandchildren and one sister, Lilian Dewhirst of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Her remains were donated to the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Memorial services at the United Church of Christ in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Memorials may be made to the Belen Public Library. The Romero Funeral Home in Belen is in charge of arrangements.

From "On the Road with John James Audobon" by Mary Durant and Michael Harwood (1980, Dodd, Mead and Co. Pub.), the authors tell of their trip to Henderson and meeting with Susan Starling Towles. As they say,

"every town worth it's salt is blessed at one time or another with a leading citizen who may or may not have an official position but is a powerhouse in the community nonetheless...In Henderson this personage was Susan Starling Towles -- teacher, librarian and first family. "

Ms. Towles died in 1954 at the age of 93, but the authors cite the following from her collection of Audoboniana: "All of the big boys were at his heels, begging to be allowed to shoot some great eagle or other rare bird he had found. The grandchildren of Mrs. Stites [this would be Rebbecca Holloway Stites] tell how she held the wild turkey while he painted it..." (p. 88.)

Sources: Vincent, Delano V. "Descendents of Henry & Benjamin Stites" in NY Gen & Bio Records, Vol 107, No 2 (April, 1976)

Joseph Sullivant "A Genealogy and Family Memorial", 1874.

In Sullivant (1874) we have the following description:

"...Samuel Stites, a merchant in Henderson, a native of Philadelphia, who had been brought up to the mercantile business. He was an exemplary member of the Presbyterian church, a business man of correct habits and integrity, and much respected and esteemed."

The following was retyped from an article found at Henderson Co., KY Library. The original was apparently taken from a newspaper clipping, circa 1920. (from Susan Bockhoven/3616 Fallen Timer Dr./Louisville, KY

40241-1619).

Pioneer Residence Withstands Time and Weather For Hundred Years:

Falls Before Wreckers

Within the next few days an old landmark that has withstood the ravages of time and weather for more than a hundred years will fall before the wreckers' hammers, giving way to progress and a more modern building.

This old residence which has occupied a revered place in the hearts of Henderson's older citizens for many years, has been donated to the Masonic order as the site for their new home. Plans for the new building are rapidly being completed and actual construction work will probably be started within the next 30 days.

At the presetn time, however, there is genuine sorrow in the household of the descendents of Samuel Stites and his wife, the pioneer residents of Henderson who about 100 years ago erected this fine old home on Second Street. For the last century the old home has remained in the possession of Stites-Barret family and at no time since it was built has it been cared for by other hands.

A touching scene greeting the writer when he called on Mrs. Ann Stites, daughter-in-law of the pioneers, who is herself past the ninety mark in life's cycle, for it is the birth-place of her husband, Richard Stites, that is passing into oblivion.

Mrs. Stites trembled as she told the history of the building and how for almost a decade it had remained in the family, but realizing that times are changing and progress demands that Henderson expand and keep in step with the advancement of the world, she has resigned herself to the change knowing that like all that grows old, the building must give way to newer things.

In the early part of 1800 there was a young business man, who, in truth, was a wholesale merchandise dealer, making regular trips from Philadelphia to New Orleans with a raft of merchandise which he sold to stores as he moved down stream.

This primitive traveler was none other than Samuel Stites. His home was in Philadelphia. He assembled his merchandise at his home town, transported them to Pittsburgh by horses and there he loades them on a barge, built especially for the single trip.

Moving out into the current which was the only means of moving the barge, he would ease his cargo downstream. Of the many places at which he anchored his barge while he sold the merchangts his goods, Henderson was one.

As previously mentioned, New Orleans was the destination. Upon arrival, the barge was abandoned, for it was of no more use to this primitive travelling salesman, as he lacked pwoer facilities to get it back upstream.

Abandoning his boat in New Orleans, Mr. Stites would purchase a horse and make the return trip to Philadelphia on horseback.

The descendents of Mr. Stites could not recall the specific reason, but something attracted him to Henderson, where he decided to locate and make his home.

He had not been in Henderson long before he married a daughter of William Holloway. Their married life started in a small home on what is known as Upper or North Main Street. They lived at this place for an unknown number of years and then starts the story of the building now standing, but which this time next year will probably be replaced by a modern Masonic home.

Mr. Stites built, according to his own notions and ideas, the home in which he and his wife died.

Henderson was hardly more than a village at that time and the main street then was what we now call Second Street. The site chosen by Mr. and Mrs. Stites for their home was amply large with plenty of space on either side and also extending back for some distance in a wide, open tract of ground.

In this vacant lot at the head of their home they planted what later developed into one of the most beautiful flower gardens in the city.

To the left of their home, where the Hambleton and Arnett & Fenwick stores now stand, was the Stites stable and horse lot. While portions of the land were sold as the town grew, the home remained the same and has the same appearance today that it did when built.

At the death of Mr. and Mrs. Stites the home was deeded to their daughter, Lucy Stites Barret, wife of James Barret. Mr. and Mrs. Barret made their home on the old estate unitl their beautiful home on Center street was built.

At the death of Mrs. James Barret the home was deeded to her son, Henry Barret, who has for several years used the building for his office, and has now donated it to the Masons.

Copied from: History of Henderson Co., KY. located at the Filson Club, Louisville.

Samuel Stites, the subject of this sketch, was a son of Richard Stites (who was a Sea Captain) and was born in Philadelphia, March 22, 1792. During the summer of 1819 he immigrated to Henderson and engaged in mercantile pursuits.

For many years he controlled the large landed interest of Mr. Lyne Starling, of Columbus, Ohio, located in Henderson Country, and by his promptness and efficient business capacity, whon the confidence and highest esteem of that gentleman. On the twentieth day of February 1823, Mr. Stites married Miss Rebecca Holloway, daughter of Major John Holloway, of this county, and unto them were born four children, namely: Mary Cameron married Edmund L. Davidson, of Springfield, Kentucky, and died, leaving one child, now Mrs. Susan Ray of Louisville; Richard married Miss Ann Mary Hopkins, and died a few years since, leaving five children, Samuel, Willia, Camilla, Richard and Hamilton. Samuel and Camilla are married, Rebecca married Col. William S. Elam. She has two children, henry Pendleton and Susie Rankin. Mr. Stites, after having lived a most exemplary life, died on the fifthy day of April, 1862. His good wife, one of the strongest minded and most charitable of her generation, followed some years after.

Sources: Vincent, Delano V. "Descendents of Henry & Benjamin Stites" in NY Gen & Bio Records, Vol 107, No 2 (April, 1976)

Genealogy compiled by Richard Stites (son of this Richard) in 1940.

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 1, Ed. 1, Tree #5155, Date of Import: 12 Apr 1998]

Samuel Stites was superintendent for Louisville, Nashvile and St. Louis RR. Retired to a farm down by Fort Knox and West Point. Stites Station, on the maps until 1985, was named for him.

Reference in: Vincent, Delano V. "Descendents of Henry & Benjamin Stites" in NY Gen & Bio Records, Vol 107, No 2 (April, 1976)

Picture of Samuel holding my father (Richard Stites, Jr., his grandson), as a baby is in my possession.

From March 1994 letter from Elaine Hamersley (nee Stites) to Richard West Stites:

"My Aunt Mary Lynn once told me that I should write a book about my father's experiences as a conductor on the LH and STL train. LH&STL merged into L&N [Louisville and Nashville] later on. It was true--Dad never knew a stranger [meaning he knew everyone] and his many experiences with the people who rode the country train with him were really something. Your dad and I used to go to my grandfathers farm, which was on the 18th St. Rdl, out of Louisville. It was about 18 miles from Louisville. Once Dick (your dad) and I got on the train, in order to spend the day in the country with my grandfather, who was living there alone, after his wife died. My grandfather had two horses, I remember and some way Dick and I left the gate open where my grandfather's prize cornfields were full of green grocery corn stalks. My grandfather was in his late 70s or early 80s--but I never saw him more youthful than that day. He leaped over the fence to take a short cut into the cornfield and went "tearing out" to catch the horses, who were quickly eating all the corn they could handle. He did catch them before they did a lot of damage, but I will never forget that day. Also, Dad was the conductor that day on the daily train trip to Evansville, Ky. He let us off at Stites Station, which was near my grandfather's farm. Grandfather met us there and then put us on there again to go back to Louisville. As we backed into the station at Louisville he let us sit on the observation car, on the back end of it and blow the whistle, as we passed the grade crossings of the byways, as we came into Louisville. Ah memories -- so many are vivid to me. Of course, we thought our father was the "greatest" ever."