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- 1-877-4RH-BOYD
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. Theophilus Bartholomew Boyd III, fourth-generation President/CEO and Chairman Emeritus of the R.H. Boyd family of companies (RHB).
In 1979, Dr. Boyd became the fourth-generation president/CEO of the company, then known as the National Baptist Publishing Board (NBPB), upon the passing of his father, Dr. T. B. Boyd, Jr., and served in this role with unsurpassed vigor and devotion.
Under his leadership, the NBPB and the National Baptist Congress (NBC) grew at a phenomenal rate.
Upon graduating from Tennessee State University, Dr. Boyd began working full time at NBPB as personnel director, working his way up through the company to gain a full understanding of all operations.
Upon taking the helm of the RHB family of companies, Dr. Boyd remarked: “It is a day of peace, a day of tranquility, a day of progress, and a day of recommitment to the very principles our forefathers laid down before us. Although the mantel has fallen on my shoulders, I will not let it hit the ground.”
With a focus on growth and innovation, he designed and built a new corporate headquarters, which was completed in 1974, and launched the groundbreaking New National Baptist Hymnal, and by the early 1990s, had more than five million copies in print. He also inspired an innovative dimension of the NBC structure—the Youth Congress Division—designed for children, youth, and young adults, ages 4 through 24, to enhance the church’s ability to foster the spiritual growth and development of its younger generation.
His commitment to youth and education continued with the founding of the R.H. Boyd Family Endowment Fund, which provides scholarships to students and grants to community organizations.
In October 2017, Dr. Boyd retired and his oldest daughter, Dr. LaDonna Boyd, became the fifth-generation president/CEO of the family of companies. Dr. Boyd was married for nearly 38 years to Mrs. Yvette Boyd and had four children—T. B. IV, LaDonna, Shalaé, and Justin. He has always been a family-oriented man, and his commitment to faith and the community were evident in everything that he did. He was a locally and nationally recognized leader and speaker. Additionally, he had a robust passion for life, enjoying activities such as running marathons, boating, and traveling.
Dr. Boyd was a pillar in the community who was civically engaged. His affiliations and involvements included Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc., Nashville’s Chi Boulé chapter of Sigma
Pi Phi Fraternity, chairman emeritus of Citizens Bank, and former vice-chairman of the board of trustees at Meharry Medical College.
Dr. Boyd was a founding visionary and board member of the new National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in Nashville, Tenn., as well as a founding major donor for the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. The Boyd Family, R.H. Boyd, and Citizens Bank have exhibits in the NMAAHC.
In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations may be made to the R.H. Boyd Family Endowment Fund in Dr. Boyd’s honor at www.rhboyd.com/endowment.
The service honoring the life and legacy of Dr. T. B. Boyd III will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at The Temple Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Visitation with the family will begin at 11 a.m., and the service will begin at noon. Masks will be required at the church.
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Born Theophilus Bartholomew Boyd III on May 15, 1947, in Nashville, TN to Dr. T. B. Boyd, Jr. and Mrs. Mabel Landrum Boyd, Dr. Boyd committed his life to the betterment of his community and future generations.
Dr. Boyd had a good childhood, described as a protective big brother who was popular and had many friends. He attended Ford Green Elementary School, Washington Junior High, and Pearl High School. He enjoyed playing baseball and other games with friends, going to Hadley Park, and playing the trumpet.
Upon graduating from Tennessee State University with the Bachelor of Science degree in 1969, Dr. Boyd began working full time at the National Baptist Publishing Board (NBPB), now known as R.H. Boyd, as personnel director, working his way up through the company to gain a full understanding of all operations. Dr. Boyd grew up in the company, working throughout high school and college. In addition to Tennessee State University, Dr. Boyd also received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Shreveport Bible College in Shreveport, Louisiana, and a Doctor of Letters from Easonian Baptist Seminary in Birmingham, Alabama.
Dr. Boyd focused on growth and innovation. One of his first major tasks included designing and building the new corporate headquarters, completed in 1974, fully equipped with the latest technology, production mechanisms, and safety measures.
In April 1979, Dr. T. B. Boyd, Jr. passed away, and his eldest son, Dr. T. B. Boyd III, was appointed by the board to assume command of the institution as the fourth-generation President/CEO of the company. Upon his father’s passing, Dr. Boyd stated:
“It is a day of peace, a day of tranquility, a day of
progress, and a day of recommitment to the very
principles our forefathers laid down before us. Although
the mantel has fallen on my shoulders, I will not let it hit
the ground.” — Dr. T. B. Boyd III
Dr. Boyd began to lead with unsurpassed vigor and devotion, and the NBPB and the National Baptist Congress began to grow at a phenomenal rate.
One of his most notable successes was the launch of The New National Baptist Hymnal. This hymnal is still one of the most iconic product offerings at the company. With more than 20,000 people attending the annual Congresses in the 1980s, Dr. Boyd inspired an innovative dimension of the Congress structure—the Youth Congress Division—designed for children, youth, and young adults, ages 4 through 24. The Youth Congress includes two dynamic ministries: youth drill teams and dance ministry. Both ministries were designed to enhance the church’s spiritual growth and development of its younger generation.
“Children are our greatest asset and our most important
investment. We must prioritize and make sure that our
children are our number one priority. We have no greater
resource than our youth, no greater task than the
orientation of molding of the young people.”
—Dr. T. B. Boyd III
His commitment to youth and education continued with the founding of the R.H. Boyd Family Endowment Fund to support future generations of scholars and leaders. The Fund provides scholarships and grants to students and community organizations, with a targeted focus on supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
In October 2017, Dr. Boyd retired and his oldest daughter, Dr. LaDonna Boyd, became the fifth-generation President/CEO of the family of companies. He became chairman emeritus and continued to provide guidance as the company entered its next chapter of innovation, technology, and strategic planning.
Dr. Boyd was a pillar in the community who was civically engaged, and his affiliations included Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc., Chi Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, chairman emeritus of Citizens Bank, the former vice-chairman of the board of trustees at Meharry Medical College, and was one of the influential founders of Middle Tennessee Chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. He was a locally and nationally recognized leader and speaker.
Dr. Boyd was also one of the founding visionaries and board members of the new National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in Nashville, as well as a founding major donor for the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, D.C.’s Smithsonian Institute. The Boyd Family, R.H. Boyd, and Citizens Bank have exhibits in the NMAAHC.
Dr. Boyd earned many awards and recognitions throughout his life and career, including Great Seal of the United States Award, March of Dimes Man of the Year Award, Who’s Who in America, Trumpet Award, Thurgood Marshall Award, two Salt Wagon Awards, Best Dressed Man, Most Beautiful Couple in Nashville Lifestyles magazine, keys to multiple cities, and so many more.
Additionally, he had a robust passion for life, enjoying activities such as running marathons, power boating, reading, traveling, and collecting watches, art, fountain pens, and other fineries. He ran the Music City Marathon twice, Sacramento Marathon, and the New York City Marathon.
He married Yvette Jean Duke on May 5, 1984. He had four children: T. B. Boyd IV (Melissa), Dr. LaDonna Yvette, Shalaé Shantel, and Justin Marriel. Dr. Boyd had three siblings: Jerrilyn Boyd-Hadley, Brenda Boyd-Walker (John), and William Allen Boyd; three grandchildren: Kopper Danielle Boyd, Javen Victoria Boyd, and T. B. Boyd V; many nieces and nephews, and a multitude of extended family and friends.
He was always a family-oriented man, loving husband, good father, mentor, and friend, and his commitment to faith and the community were evident in everything that he did. He instilled the importance of building and leaving a legacy to everyone that he encountered. He was a dedicated and faithful servant, and now he has received his reward in Heaven.
