A Memphis congregation is mourning the loss of their 44-year-old pastor, who passed away in a vehicle accident a week after his youngest daughter was christened. His congregation remembers him as a kind pastor, a family guy, a decent husband, and “irreplaceable.”

The Shelby County Fire Department declared the Rev. Willie Boyd Jr., pastor of Greenwood CME Church, deceased at the scene this past weekend while he was driving alone and colliding with a tree.

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His wife and three children, who were not in the car when the accident occurred, were also left behind.

“We miss him like a son or a brother,” Commercial Appeal quoted Bishop Emeritus Henry Williamson Sr. of the CME Church as saying. “That’s how people thought about him. A son or a brother. He’s irreplaceable.”

The newspaper noted that Boyd had posted on his Facebook that it was his “birthday weekend.”

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Memphis Congregation Grieve Pastor Killed In Fatal Accident

The Rev. Marvin Frank Thomas Sr., bishop of the CME, said Boyd was “humble, very committed and dedicated to his work and his family.”

“Rev. Boyd was certainly one of the leaders in our denomination. … He has provided stellar leadership, very active in community and a heart for people, a great love of the gospel, a great preacher and a great singer,” Thomas added.

Javier Bailey, a friend of the pastor, remembered him as a “fun-loving kind of guy” who “liked to joke a lot.”

Bailey said the pastor’s death is a significant loss for “many young men out here who are lost.”

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“Guys like Willie Boyd served as examples to many young men in their 30s and early 40s who need those examples. So when we lose a good guy like that, a champion for neighborhoods and believers, it’s a real tragedy.”

Assistant Pastor Tyrone Davis said he was “devastated” by the news of Boyd’s death.

“He was just outgoing and so caring, and so concerned about the congregation, about the community, about his work — his family,” Action News 5 quoted Davis as saying. “I mean, he was just all-consuming.”

Memphis Congregation Grieve Pastor Killed In Fatal Accident

We want to wrap our arms around her and let her know she’s not alone, Davis continued, referring to Boyd’s 1-year-old daughter who was christened the previous week. That she is loved and taken care of, not just in the days that are immediately ahead but also in the days that follow, so that she is aware that her family is still here.

Toni Williams, interim superintendent of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools, also reacted to the news.

“My prayers are with the family of Pastor Boyd Jr., members of the Greenwood CME Church, and our MSCS family. Pastor Boyd supported our MSCS special population students and families,” she tweeted.

JESUS IS COMING SOON!