Obituary of Martha Boyd

Martha Joanna Basinger Bookout Boyd died March 24, 2012 at Atria Merrywood in Charlotte NC surrounded by loving family. A native Charlottean, she was born January 26, 1921 at St Peter?s Hospital to James Andrew Basinger and Jessica Shelton Basinger. Martha was always proud of her Charlotte heritage. She started school at Elizabeth Elementary and graduated from Central High School in 1939. A child of the Great Depression and a member of the Greatest Generation, Martha was a female-scholar-athlete decades before women were allowed even intramural competition at the collegiate level. She was awarded a Tennis Scholarship and attended Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory NC, only to have her education curtailed by World War II. Martha was proud to contribute to the war effort, and worked at the Quartermaster Depot during the war while keeping the home fires burning for her US Navy Petty Officer husband, Conrad Beam Bookout, who preceded her in death in 2000. She enjoyed a successful post-war modeling career before devoting herself to being a full-time mother and homemaker. Martha is survived by her beloved husband, Thomas Franklin Boyd whom she met and married at Merrywood after a house fire destroyed her Eastover home in 2008. Martha and Tom enjoyed three truly golden years together. Martha is also survived by her children Conrad Beam Bookout, Jr. of Taos, NM; Martha Basinger Bookout Anderson (Kenneth) of Galax, VA; James Arthur Bookout (Lorin) of Charlotte; a brother James Andrew Basinger, Jr (Elizabeth); and a sister Barbara Basinger McLendon (the late Hubert) also of Charlotte; three grandchildren Conrad Beam Bookout III of Charlotte; Jessica Agravante Barbour (Vincent) of Willow Spring, NC; and Natalie Rae Bookout of Charlotte; two great-granddaughters Kayla Jessica Barbour and Kirra Mortiz Barbour of Willow Spring NC and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by one stepdaughter Darlene Boyd Quinn(Richard) of Austin,TX; and one stepson Joseph Daniel Boyd(Sandy) of Green Bay, WI; 5 stepgrandchildren Lauren Kathryn Quinn of Atlanta, GA; Thomas Hudson Quinn of Austin, TX; Michael Thomas Boyd(Christy) of Belmont, NC; Brian Daniel Boyd(Ginger) of Asheville,NC; and Ashley Summer Boyd of Chapel Hill, NC;4 step great-grandaughters Avery, Lillian, and Ellis Boyd of Belmont,NC; and Wren Boyd of Asheville, NC. Martha was passionate about her deltiology hobby of historical post-cards of Charlotte, creating an unrivalled breathtaking collection. She was also an avid walker, and she was a common site on the sidewalks of Eastover for almost 60 years, making many friends along the way. A lifelong Lutheran, Martha was baptized, confirmed and married at St Marks Lutheran church where she served on many of its committees through decades of leadership and service. Her funeral will be held at St Mark?s Lutheran church,1001 Queens Rd. Charlotte, NC 28207 at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 27, 2012. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mark?s Lutheran Church.