John Charles Boyd

John Charles Boyd , affectionately known as “Battle” made his transition to his heavenly home on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at his residence in Riceville, TN with his loving family by his side. John was a born-again Christian who loved the Lord and was always sharing his faith and love for Christ with all he encountered. John was born in Etowah, TN on January 4, 1947. John attended school at West Etowah Grammar and J. L. Cook High School. John joined the United States Army in 1966 and was soon afterward deployed to Vietnam for two tours. While serving in the military he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal-60, and Overseas Service Bar. Upon honorable discharge, John married Ann Hitchcock in 1969 and together they celebrated 52-plus years of joy and happiness. John was employed at Beaunit Fibers for a short period before joining Bowater Paper Corporation for 36 years. He retired from his position in the Wet End Lab in January 2009. John represented Union Local #788 as President for several years. He served his community in several capacities: NAACP President, American Legion Post 11 Adjutant, East-West Development Corporation (Park and Rehab Project) Leader, and Mount Olive AME Zion Church as Trustee and singer in the Mount Olive Male Chorus.

John was preceded in death by his son Aaron Charles Boyd; grandmother (Momma) Louise Boyd, mother, Louella Boyd Alston; brothers David and Allen Moss; father, Bill Douglas, and grandparents, Geneva and Lawrence Douglas. Leaving to cherish his memories and continue his legacy are his wife, Martha Ann, daughters, Stacey (Atlanta, GA) and Stefanie (Cleveland, TN), brother, Greg Mayfield (Athens, TN), aunts, Mary Nell Douglas and Frances Pierce (Etowah, TN), brothers and sister-in-law, Robert Davis (Louisville, TN), Sue and Robert Jobe (Grand Rapids, MI), Johnie Hitchcock (Etowah, TN) and Paul Hitchcock (Knoxville, TN); grandchildren, Courtni (Joseph) Thomas, Halleigh (Devon) Neely, Reece (Kayla) Graham, Brentson Buckner, Jr., Gage Black, John R. Boyd, Matilé Boyd, and Jayme Payne; great-grandchildren, Jairus and Jacelyn Thomas, Oakland and Stetson Neely, and Tyson Graham, and many close nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Homegoing services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, October 21, 2022, at Mount Olive AME Zion Church 133 County Road 812, Etowah, TN. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service. Interment to follow at McMinn Memory Gardens. Public viewing after 12:00 PM on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at M.D. Dotson and Sons Funeral Home, 502 Congress Parkway North, Athens, TN. Final arrangements entrusted to Foothills Funeral Home, foothillsfh.com. and M.D. Dotson and Sons Funeral Home. www.dotsonfh.com