Mary Ardis Maydwell Boyd, devoted mother, sister, auntie, and friend, was ushered into the Hands of God on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 7:57 PM. She was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on December 9, 1947, to James Maydwell and Mary Elizabeth Collins Maydwell. To their union was born 7 children, of whom Mary was the 5th of 7 children.

Mary Ardis attended Fort Wayne Allen County School District, and on October 3, 1964, she married the love of her life, Johnny R. Boyd at Christ Temple in Indianapolis, Indiana. The devoted couple was eager to begin a family, and in February of 1965, they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Lavenia, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Three years later, the couple welcomed their first of three sons, Richard (Nyle), who was born in 1968 in Inglewood, California. Jonathan (Terri) was born in 1969, also in Inglewood, California, and Julius/Desmond (DeLisha) was born in 1971 in Denver, Colorado.

After the birth of her children, Mary returned to school to further her education. She attended Emily Griffith Opportunity School, where she studied to earn her GED. During her time in school, she also took voice lessons and cake decorating classes. Mary was a gifted cook and worked in the kitchen at various eateries and food services. Beginning in 1972, she worked at Skychef in Stapleton Airport in Denver, Colorado, learning to sharpen her cooking skills in the kitchen. Her talents were quickly noticed, and she earned and accepted a scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America in Poughkeepsie, New York, where she graduated as a Chef in Culinary Arts in 1977. She received numerous offers to work in test kitchens and other eateries around the country.

However, her devotion to her family brought her back to Denver, Colorado, to care for her mother and her children. Despite the dissolution of her marriage, Mary tirelessly worked multiple jobs to provide for her family's needs as a single mother.

Mary loved the Lord and worshipped Him her entire life! Mary served as a choir member, cooked in the kitchen, taught Sunday school, and was a regular in Pentecostal Assemblies of the World congregations (Zion Temple, Emmanuel Temple, Bethlehem FWC), with her longest membership at Zion Temple.

She is survived by her brother Ricardo Maydwell, 3 children, and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, 5 siblings, her son (Richard D. Boyd), and her grandson (Jamar D. Boyd).

Mary was loved by Many! Her children, bonus children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many friends who became honorary family! Mary leaves a legacy of love because she adopted many people along the way, and they added to her family!