[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF E.F. BOYD & SON FUNERAL HOMES, 
                                  INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 27, 2005

  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th 
anniversary of E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Homes, Inc. The Boyd family, 
which owns 3 funeral homes in the Cleveland area, has been in business 
since 1905, and is celebrating a century in business.
  Elmer F. Boyd, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, originally owned a barber 
shop but realized the need for a funeral home that catered to African 
Americans. Boyd then opened the third funeral home in the Cleveland 
area that served blacks.
  In the time before automobiles Boyd would use a city owned streetcar 
named the Black Mariah to carry bodies and families to burial sites. 
Boyd would also go to the homes of the deceased to embalm or preserve 
the bodies, and he would sew the lining into the casket himself before 
manufacturers lined caskets.
  In the late 1930s Boyd's son William joined the business, and later 
his son William II, and daughters Marina and Marcella took on the 
duties of their father and grandfather.
  Since the passing of Elmer Boyd many other members of the family have 
kept the business running, including his great-granddaughter, and 
oldest daughter of William II, Victoria. Victoria is the only female in 
the family who has both an embalmer and funeral director's license.
  Four generations have made possible the successful continuation and 
expansion of E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Homes for 100 years.
  On behalf of the people of the 11th Congressional District, I wish to 
commend E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Homes, Inc. on their 100th anniversary. 
Their existence is a true testament to family values and dedication, 
and the continuing legacy of the American dream.

                          ____________________