Emory Givens "Wes" Boyd

Emory Givens “Wes” Boyd, 88, lovingly known as “Pop,” passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 1,2026, at Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula, Mississippi, with his family by his side. He was born July 15,1938, to Clarence and Mary Hightower Boyd.

A visitation will be held at Sharkey Funeral Home on Friday, September 4, 2026, beginning at 12:00 p.m. until time of service at 1:00 p.m. with Bro. Rick Kennedy officiating. A graveside service will immediately follow at McEwen Cemetery in Jayess, MS with Sharkey Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Emory proudly served his country as an infantryman in the Mississippi Army National Guard. He spent much of his life working on dairy farms and in the fields, baling hay, milking cows, driving tractors, and doing the hard work that came with farm life. He was a hardworking man who believed in an honest day’s work and carried that work ethic throughout his life.

Wes loved people and rarely met a stranger. He loved to pick, joke, and cut up with those around him. He was known for his stories and could always find something to make people laugh. If you heard the same story more than once, there was a pretty good chance it had gained another detail or two along the way. That was simply part of what made Wes so entertaining and so loved. There was only one Wes, and there will only ever be one Pop.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Boyd; his children, Daniel “Peanut” Boyd, Amanda Boyd Whatley and her husband, Vance “Allen” Whatley, Maggie Marie Hart, and Janie Travis; and his grandchildren, Shawn, Alana, Robert, Patrick, Tracy, Jacob, and Janie.

Amanda shared an especially close bond with her father and was always proud to be Daddy’s girl. As Pop’s needs grew, Amanda and Allen devoted themselves tirelessly to caring for him, surrounding him with love and making sure he was cared for every step of the way. His grandchildren, Shawn and Alana Whatley, were his pride and joy and shared a very special bond with their Pop. They were there with loving and helping hands whenever he needed them. Shawn’s fiancée, Sarrah Griffith, also became an important part of Pop’s care, lovingly helping the family care for him. The love, time, and devotion given to Pop by his family will forever be a meaningful part of his story.

Emory was one of twelve children and the last of his siblings to pass away. His passing closes a remarkable chapter in the Boyd family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Mary Hightower Boyd, and his eleven siblings: Charles Boyd, J.W. Boyd, Mary Boyd, Marie McCullough, Mary Alexander, Larry Boyd, Noah Boyd, Kent Boyd, Eva May Coon, Judy Walters, and Frances Landry.

Pop leaves behind a lifetime of stories, laughter, hard work, and memories that his family will carry forever.

Those stories will continue to be told, and knowing Pop, they may still pick up an extra detail or two along the way. To those who loved him most, he was simply Pop. And there will never be another one quite like him.