Deacon Jimmie L. Boyd, a permanent deacon serving at Blessed Trinity Parish in Buffalo, died Jan. 20, 2016. He was 75 years old.

Deacon Boyd was born on Aug. 22, 1940, in Munford, Ala., to Deacon Curtis and Margaret Boyd. In 1962, he married Carrie Grayson. The couple had two sons, Jim Jr. and Kyle, and a daughter, Kim.

He was ordained a permanent deacon three decades ago, and his ministry included faithful service at St. Mary of Sorrows, St. James and St. Gerard Parishes in Buffalo.

At the time of his death, Deacon Boyd was serving at Blessed Trinity. In his ministry, he also helped men at the Men's Fellowship of Little Portion Friary, volunteered at the Helping Hands Food Pantry and helped with Bingo games held at Blessed Trinity and St. Gerard.

Outside of the diaconate, Deacon Boyd previously worked for the Ford Stamping Plant and was a co-owner of Boyd and Brown Construction. He also was a life member of the NAACP.

Deacon Boyd is survived by his wife, Carrie; their children, Jim Jr. (Charlisa), Kim (Kenneth Sr.) Harris and Kyle; grandchildren Porsha, Aaron, Shameka and Henry, and one great-grandchild, Savyur.

He is also survived by his siblings, Juliette Graves of Buffalo, Albert (Earline) Boyd of Chicago and Dr. Bess (Wilbert) Stewart and Herman (Gloria) Boyd, both of San Antonio, Texas; a godsister, Lillie Ferguson; a close friend, Joe Carter; and his siblings' families.

A funeral Mass was held at Blessed Trinity Church, with burial in Ridgelawn Cemetery in Cheektowaga.