This week marks the 89th anniversary of the tragic deaths of Helen and Elva Boyd, two beloved sisters from Patrick County who were also dedicated schoolteachers. Both girls had furthered their education as teenagers by attending Central Academy School at the foot of Lover’s Leap Mountain. Helen taught at Rye Cove School, while Elva taught at Free Union.
Helen Myrtis Boyd, the eldest child of Daniel Thomas “Tom” Boyd and Nancy Avie Boyd, was born in 1909. Tom Boyd was the son of Pleasant Green Boyd and Sarah Jane Knowles, and his wife Nancy was the daughter of James Andrew “Jim” Boyd and Sarah Susan Jones, all of Meadows of Dan.
The couple’s second daughter, Amy Elva Boyd, was born the following year, and they would later have a total of ten children: Ruby Marie in 1912, Edith Jane in 1913, Larry Saul in 1915, Jeannette Evelyn in 1917, Murry Lee in 1919, Alfred Nelson in 1921, Major Walter in 1924, and Eula Ethylene in 1926.
On May 30, 1936, the Martinsville Bulletin reported the heartbreaking news of Helen’s death at the age of 27. She was killed instantly when the Ford Roadster in which she was riding with her father and younger sister overturned on the J.E.B. Stuart Highway near Lover’s Leap. Dr. W.C. Akers, who attended to the victims, confirmed that Helen died from a fractured skull and a broken neck.
State patrolmen P.C. Nowlin of Martinsville and Jake Aaron of Galax were in the area directing traffic for the second annual Dickey Wood Reunion at Lover’s Leap when they investigated the accident. They reported that Mr. Boyd had veered off the road on a curve about a mile beyond Lover’s Leap. In attempting to correct his course, he overcompensated, which led to a blowout and caused the car to flip over completely. The car, which was badly damaged, came to a stop on its wheels. Helen and Elva’s nephew, Gary Lankford, confirmed that the accident occurred in the sharp curve near the entrance to the old Circle M Zoo.
Helen and her sister Elva were on their way to Stuart to attend an extension course as part of their continued teacher training when the accident occurred.
Helen’s funeral was held on Sunday, May 31, 1936, with Rev. J.M. McNair, Rev. A.S. Estall, and Rev. Arthur Harris conducting the services. She was laid to rest in the Leatha Moore Boyd Cemetery on Bent Road in Meadows of Dan.
On June 1, 1936, the Martinsville Bulletin reported that Elva had passed away early that morning. Initially, it had been thought that her injuries were minor, but further examination revealed that she had suffered a broken back and was paralyzed from the waist down. Dr. Akers believed the spinal cord had been severed, with a bone pressing against her lower neck or upper shoulder.
Elva’s funeral was held on Tuesday, June 2, 1936, with Rev. McNair, Rev. Estall, and Rev. Gibbs officiating. Sadly, Mr. Boyd was unable to attend the services for either of his daughters as he was hospitalized, suffering from shock, numerous cuts, and bruises.
Thank you so much to Gary Lankford for sharing photographs and information for the story. For any questions, comments, or story ideas, please feel free to reach out to Woody at rockcastlecreek1@gmail.com or (276) 692-9626.
