Obituary of Norma Payne Boyd

Norma Payne Minor was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania to the late Lillian Virginia Rose and Harry Chapman Minor on February 14th, 1929; a Valentine’s Day baby. Her father passed away a few years later. As such, Norma and sister were raised by their mother with help from their maternal grandfather, Ernest Benjamin Payne, who owned his own barbershop – an unusual feat for an African-American man of the era. At 17 years old, after graduating high school, Norma left for Philadelphia to live with her aunt and uncle. Soon after, in 1951, she began her twenty-year career at the Philadelphia Navy Base as one of the first African-American secretaries. She went on to work for the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, investigating complaints regarding discrimination based on race, sex, and disability at colleges and universities in six states for 12 years until retiring in 1984. While investigating cases, Norma simultaneously graduated from Camden County College, then continued her studies at Temple and Rutgers universities until she enrolled as a matriculating student at Lincoln University where she received a Master’s degree in Human Services in 1983. Meanwhile, after her first marriage to Robert Boyd, which produced her son Vincent D. Boyd in 1949, she married Floard C. Catlett and had Raylon Michael Catlett in 1960. Later, she enjoyed a happy and devoted union with Alphonso D. Boyd, Jr., traveling the world until his passing in 2001. In retirement, Norma joined her church family at Bethany Baptist Church in 1991 as Bishop David G. Evans’ secretary. Thanks to his teaching and guidance, alongside the special friendship of Cynthia Faison and many other long-lasting, meaningful friendships, her life at Bethany was a rewarding journey of love and compassion for others. She transitioned to the positions of Church Clerk, then Administrator and Co-Director of the Pastoral Care Ministry, eventually becoming the Director of the ministry in 2004. She was also a member of the National Association of Professional Women, the Metropolitan Who’s Who, the Lawnside Scholarship Club, the Continental Societies – an organization providing financial and scholarship support for underprivileged youth – and held a ranking title from Toastmasters, Inc. Norma was a lifelong learner dedicated to education, service, her family, and the Lord. She enjoyed reading, shopping, sharing a meal with loved ones, offering her wisdom and counsel, and sneaking treats to her beloved dog, Harley. She was well-known for her discernment and wit. Norma lived by and embodied three Psalms she loved: 71, 91, 121. Norma is predeceased by the love of her life Alphonso D. Boyd, Jr., her sister Joan Yvonne Johnson, stepson Floard C. Catlett II (Cuppy), daughter-in-law Lydia Boyd and sister-in-law Nancy Allmond. She is cherished and remembered by her sons Michael Catlett and Vincent Boyd; daughters-in-law Judith Catlett and Janice Catlett; stepdaughter Flordine Catlett; grandchildren Chelsea, Joshua, Jonathan, Florian, Ferin, Cody, Jasmine and Erin; great-grandchildren Vincent, Jeremiah, Allyah, Isabella, Keira, Levi, Iysiss, Joshua Jr, Nia and Jada; nieces and nephews Joyce (Rex) Fitch, Yvonne (Jon) King, Doris (William) Schweiger, Sharon Green, Roley “JR” Johnson, Jr., and David Johnson; grand-nieces and grand-nephews Alexandra, Nathan, Cassidy, Tyler, Joshua, Samuel, Todd and Stephen; extended family Arthur “Ting” (Lisa) Folks, Leslie “Shubbie” (Cheryl) Folks, Giavanni, and Cole; and a host of cousins, friends, and her Bethany church family who made an undoubted impact in her life. "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." (Matthew 7:12)