Mother Vera Mae Boyd was born on November 11, 1934, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Wilbur and Daisy Mae Fields. As a child, Vera was diagnosed with rheumatic fever and was hospitalized for a year. Despite the prognosis from doctors, Vera overcame this adversity. Not only did she overcome it, but Vera would often use this to her advantage when being mischievous. Vera was an overcomer who would not allow anyone to tell her what she could not do. She accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at an early age, which was a source of strength through many of her trials and adversities. This proved to be true later in life when Vera was diagnosed with breast cancer (another diagnosis she overcame).

As a youth, Vera spent most of her summers in Bedford at the home of Anna Salters, mother of Phyllis Lee. Vera and Phyllis were so close that if Vera couldn’t get to Bedford, then Phyllis would come to Vera in Cleveland. Phyllis lovingly called Vera her sister-cousin.

Vera married Jesse Rudolph Boyd on December 28, 1951. Through their union, they had 4 children: Denise Boyd, Alonzo (Tonto) Boyd, Reginald Anthony Boyd (Stephanie), and Jesse Rudolph Boyd. They also have a half-sister, Tammie Allgood, through their father, Jesse.

Vera temporarily relocated to Las Vegas, where she worked as a housekeeper. Upon return to Cleveland, she worked at a cotton factory and later found her joy as a housekeeper and nanny, where her specialty was ironing.

Anyone who knows Vera knows she was a woman of faith. Vera was a member of Calvary Hill Church of God In Christ, where she served on the women’s auxiliary and in the choir. She later went on to be a founding member of Solomon’s Temple Church of God in Christ under Elder Albert T. Salters and Founding First Lady Geneva Salters. Under the Solomon’s Temple leadership, Vera served as a Sunday School teacher, on the Mother’s Board, President of Pastor’s Aide, member of the hospitality committee, and as a Program Chairperson. In 2001, shortly after the transfer of leadership to Elder Carl Anthony Salters, Vera’s station was elevated to Mother Vera Mae Boyd. She has been a pillar of elegance, strength, no-nonsense, and faith in the Church of God In Christ community and will be dearly missed.

As Vera entered her golden years, she required more assistance in her day-to-day activities. She was blessed to receive both companionship and medical care for 5 years from Frankie Hauser, a retired Registered Nurse and close friend of the family. Frankie’s impact on Vera was so prevalent that when she stepped down, anyone who provided care was called Frankie, even Niecy.

Vera had seven siblings who preceded her in death: Alonzo Fields, Eugene Fields, Wilbur “Skeet” Fields, Eleanor Attaway, Raymond Fields, Phillip Fields, and Donald Fields.

Vera leaves to mourn her 4 children: Denise, Reginald, Alonzo, and Jesse. 9 Grandchildren: Damion Boyd Sr. (Erica), Reginald Anthony Tate, Dominique Tate, Raymond Boyd, Ashley Boyd, Arielle Boyd, Tracey Flanagan, Alonzo Gaines, Ida McLaughlin, and Pernell Payne. There is also a host of great grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, and loved ones.