Boyd, Robert Merrill

Robert Merrill Boyd, 74, of Radford, Va., passed away Sunday, March 22, 2009. He was a member of Fairlawn Grace Brethren Church and a retired milkman from Meadow Gold Dairies. He was a member of the Fairlawn Volunteer Fire Department for over 48 years and was the current president.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin R. and Gracie Phillips Boyd; a brother, Lester Boyd; and his foster mother, Edna Phillips.

Survivors include his wife, Arleta Lively Boyd, of Radford; a son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Joby Boyd, of Pulaski; a daughter and son-in-law, Vanessa and Kelly Rutherford, of Dublin; four grandchildren, Savanna, Samantha and Shauna Rutherford and Robbie Boyd; a brother and sister-in-law, Leslie and Zelda Boyd; his foster father and cousin, Kirby Phillips, of New River; foster sister and brothers, Debbie Jones, and Gary, Chipper and Dean Phillips; and his mother-in-law, Nettie Lively.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at the Fairlawn Grace Brethren Church with the Rev. Lester Kennedy officiating. Interment will follow in the Highland Memory Gardens in Dublin. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2009, at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Fairlawn Grace Brethren Church, 6893 Mills Avenue, Fairlawn, Va. 24141 or the Fairlawn Fire Department, 7358 Peppers Ferry Blvd., Fairlawn, Va. 24141. The Boyd family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford. www.mulllinsfuneralhome.com