Funeral Service
Obituary of Tina Tawana Boyd
A Celebration of the Life of Tina Tawana Turnbow Boyd
My Prayer
I pray the Lord will strengthen you while I’m gone. He knew I was tired…that’s why He brought me home.
I know your skies look gray—not blue, But let your love for me be a comfort to you.
Take care, my family. Let nothing pull you apart; Remember my love that’s in your heart.
It’s okay for you to weep and cry, But remember that I will see you later…
For this is not goodbye.
Today we gather to acknowledge and celebrate the new life of Tina Tawana Turnbow Boyd, who has entered into the presence of God.
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:1
A time to be born: Tina Tawana Turnbow Boyd was born on December 27, 1961, to Louise Constance and the late Thurman Carl Turnbow. She was the first of two daughters from that union. At an early age, Tina accepted Jesus Christ at Mount Sinai Baptist Church in Washington, DC. After moving to Ashburn, Virginia she became a member of Heritage Fellowship Church. Tina was a praying woman! She often would begin by saying “ok let’s pray” and with folding hands began with “Dear Heavenly Father”, her favorite scripture was Psalm 23.
A time to learn: Tina graduated with honors from Fort Hunt High School in Alexandria, Virginia. She continued her education at Virginia State University, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a concentration in Marketing. She later received her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology.
A time to love: On September 24, 1994, Tina was united in holy matrimony to Michael Leon Boyd. They nurtured and sustained their sacred commitment to each other for 24 years, and they lavished that same love on their son, Michael Leon Boyd, Jr., who brought boundless joy to his mother’s life. He was affectionately known as her “boo bear”.
A time to live: Tina was a tenacious and loving individual who grabbed life with both hands. She possessed an engaging personality, enjoying nothing better than spending time with her immediate and extended family, her many faithful and loyal friends, and other persons whom she chanced to meet along life’s way. Her boundless energy, positive outlook, and adventurous spirit were trademarks of her personality. She was friendly and lighthearted, quick to talk to and make friends with everyone she encountered, including strangers. Her remarkable passion
for life left an unforgettable impression on many, and she was greatly admired for her profound compassion for others. Because she believed that memories were best preserved through pictures, Tina captured every moment of the lives of other people around her.
Tina’s life was filled with many interests. She loved life, expressing it spontaneously and
joyously through dance, (Tina-style!) Oh, how she loved to dance! She was always on the move
whether it was planning events for friends and family or completing a project for her job.
An avid reader, Tina found immeasurable pleasure in her book club of 25 years, the
‘Readings of the Diaspora’.
She was equally devoted to the fight against breast cancer and supported the cause enthusiastically by walking in the races, attending conferences, educating others about breast cancer, and inspiring them through her own story.
A time to work: Tina began her career at Ronson Management Corporation, where she met her longtime friend, Twana Ballard. After several advancements in her career, she retired from Raytheon, where she championed a diversity work place program, RAYBEN. She recently received the RAYBEN 2018 Award in appreciation and recognition of her leadership. Tina was especially proud of her volunteer work as a Den Mother to the Cub Scouts and her involvement with the Boys Scouts for ten years.
A time to transition: Tina’s courageous fight with metastatic breast cancer ended on September 26, 2018. She fought an intrepid battle every step of the way. Throughout her illness, Tina met each challenge with unwavering faith and a profound will to live. She gave life her best shot, always enduring every trial with grace, dignity, and optimism. She will forever be an inspiration to her loving family and friends.
A time to grieve: Tina is survived by her husband, Michael Leon Boyd; Son, Michael Leon Boyd, Jr.; Mother, Louise Blow (Johnel, aka Papa Blow); Sister, Constance Prout (Robert aka Nick); Stepbrother, Alvin Blow (Felicia); Stepsister, Phyllis Everette; Mother-in-Law, Helen Boyd and Father-in-Law, Donald Boyd; Sister-in-Law, Lisa Matthews; Nephews, Wade Stuart, Jr. and Derrick Blackwell; Nieces, Ke’Shaun Davis, Mariah and Carmen Matthews and Nicole Blackwell, five aunts; Rosetta Reese, Juanita Jones, Teressa Baxter, Vanessa West and Cherrie Newby. Three uncles; Charlie, Harrison and Lorenzo Buck; foster sisters, Mary and Marylyn Mallory;; Godchild, Cassidy; Special Friend, Twana Ballard, and a host of other cousins, relatives and friends to include the ladies of the Readings of the Diaspora Book Club. She was preceded in death by her Father, Thurman Turnbow and her Sister, Anita Turnbow-Blackwell.
To my dearest family, some things I’d like to say……
Dear Family,
You need a quiet time for reflection to sort through precious memories and to come to accept what has happened. You need a time to let tears flow, not for me, for I am at peace in Heaven, but for all of you as you realize things will be different now. You need a time to just be you when you can reach out to God and let the reassurance of His everlasting love start to heal your broken hearts. Remember
God gave you the gift of time, and the greatest use of time is the healing of your broken hearts. During your darkest nights, God is there to hold your hand. He is there to comfort you, and He will give you strength to face this time of sorrow; and know that in my absence, God is the BEST dance partner of all.
The family will receive friends on Friday, October 5, 2018 from 9:30 AM until service time of 11 AM at Heritage Fellowship Church 2501 Fox Mill Rd. Reston, VA. Interment will be held at Mount Comfort Cemetery in Alexandria, VA.
Adams-Green Funeral Home & Crematory
721 Elden Street | Herndon, VA 20170
P: (703) 437-1764 or (703) 471-4090 | E: bill@adamsgreen.com
