Boyce, Naomi Kieffer
Passed: 2012-01-15
Age: 85
Source: Ravenswood News
Death Notice:
Obituary Date: 2012-01-19
Information: Naomi Boyce, 85, of Elizabeth, ended her earthly journey on January 15, 2012, at Camden Clark Medical Center surrounded by her family. She had been ill for approximately six weeks, and passed away as a result of complications from her illness. She lived a long life blessed with family, friends, and the farm. She was born on Dutch Ridge, in Sherman, Jackson County, on May 23, 1926, the youngest daughter of the late Wilbur Arthur Kieffer and Elizabeth Anna Burdette Kieffer. She and her late husband, Lawrence, were partners in Boyce Brothers Farm in the Limestone Hill community of Wirt County for 64 years. They were the 1988 Little Kanawha Soil Conservation District Farmers of the Year. They and Lawrence's brother, Truman, and wives, the late Marian and Ethel Boyce, produced beef cattle until 2004. Naomi was educated at Lone Cedar School in Jackson County and was a 1945 graduate of Parkersburg High School. She received the West Virginia Golden Horseshoe Award in 1941. She was a graduate of Glenville State College where she received her teaching certificate. She taught at Cavin Fork and Lone Cedar Schools in Jackson County until she married Lawrence on November 9, 1947. She returned to the school system in Wirt County in 1971, after raising five children. She worked as a cook and special education teacher's aid until her retirement in 1988. She returned after retirement to volunteer at the Wirt County Primary Center until 1996. Her joy of children transcended not only in her career, but in her other activities. She once said that she never dreaded not one day of going to work. Naomi was instrumental in the 4-H program in Wirt County. She and the late Elizabeth Knotts started the Morristown Mountaineers 4-H Club in 1963, where she was a 4-H volunteer for 49 years. She received the 4-H All Star in 1981 and was honored as being a honorary lifetime member of the Wirt County Fair in 1992. Naomi was active in several community organizations. She was on the board of directors for Community Action (now Community Resources), treasurer of the Morristown Community Association for years, and helped in establishing the Rockport Community Building. She was a member of the Limestone United Methodist Church for over 50 years, where she was active in the Women's Aide, vacation Bible school, and the parsonage committee. Naomi took great pride in her children's education and activities. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren's sporting and 4-H events in Wirt County and WVU sporting events in her later years. She once said that helping her grandchildren was one of her greatest joys. She is survived by her two sons, Danny Boyce, and his wife Karol of Charlotte NC, and John Boyce and his wife Ann of Elizabeth; three daughters, Linda Adams and companion Richard Doheny of Elizabeth, Janey and her husband Mark of Elizabeth, and Amy Thomas and her fiancee Brent Woomer of Elizabeth. Surviving grandchildren include Acey Boyce, Kailey Boyce, Boone Boyce, Lane Boyce, Hannah Wigal, Jake Wigal, Drew Thomas and Leigh Thomas. She is also survived by one sister, Daina Stallings of Medina, Jackson County. In addition to her parents and husband who died on January 16, 2007, she is preceded in death by a son-in-law, Danny Adams; brothers, W. D. ""Buzz"" Kieffer, Neil Kieffer, Doyle Kieffer, and Cecil ""Calvin"" Kieffer; and sisters, Meta Kieffer Pyles and Glenn Kieffer Uhl. In her final three years, she developed special relationships with her friends, Christine Roberts, Tammy Burton and her granddaughter, Hannah Wigal. Along with her friends, she cherished their dogs, Brody, Reese, Midgie, and Khloe, who gave her company and joy. Funeral services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Matheny Whited Funeral Home, Elizabeth, with the Reverend Vera Archer officiating. Burial will be at K of P Cemetery in Elizabeth. Visitation will be Thursday 2 to 8 p.m. and from 9 a.m. until time of the service on Friday. It is Naomi's request that memorial contributions be sent to the Wirt County 4-H Foundation , c/o West Virginia University Extension Office, P. O. Box 700, Elizabeth WV 26143. A heartfelt thank you to those that helped Naomi, and the 1 East staff at Camden Clark Medical Center for their care in her time of need and our family's time of sorrow.