Boyd A. O’Neal, of McKinney, TX, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at the age of 86. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, October 1, 2011 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, with Rev. Randy Morlan and Rev. Kenneth Ussery officiating. Burial will follow immediately. The family will receive visitors Friday, September 30 from 6:00PM until 8:00PM at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, Allen, TX. Pall bearers will be Hal Womack, Tom Kepner, Johnny Barrett, Roberto Fanini, W.A. Richardson, and Richard Jordan. Boyd Allen O’Neal was born on August 29, 1925 in Novice, TX and went home to be with the Lord on September 24, 2011. Boyd is survived by his wife of 66 years, Irma Schneider O’Neal; daughters Melba Hogue (Doug); Betty Brown; Becky Gore (Ken), son James O’Neal (Cindy); grandchildren, Maurice Brown, Rhanda Holden (Michael), Tonya Brown, Juliann Deese (Buddy), James, Jr. and Marion O’Neal (Staci), Jeremy Gore; great-grandchildren Victoria Brown, Michael II and Nicole Holden, Kendall and John Deese; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, James Smith O’Neal, mother, Ida Givens O’Neal, seven brothers, five sisters, and a great-grandson. Boyd was a graduate of Novice High School, Howard Payne University, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was ordained by the Coggin Avenue Baptist Church, Brownwood, TX in 1944. He served as pastor of Silver Valley Baptist Church while in college and at Calvary Baptist Church in Stephenville while in Seminary. Boyd and Irma were appointed missionaries of the Foreign Mission Board (now, International Mission Board) in 1949. They ministered faithfully in the state of Alagoas, Brazil, until 1988. Boyd used his natural leadership skills, his ability to work hard and persevere to help the Alagoas Baptist Convention start more than 40 churches, develop a Baptist camp, maintain a school, conduct humanitarian relief efforts, preach the gospel, disciple new believers and become a problem-solver and encourager. He loved Alagoas, and the Alagoanos loved him. They expressed their love by giving him honorary citizenship of the city of Maceio and, the state of Alagoas. They showed their appreciation for his dedication and hard work with several medals of commendation, plaques and worship services of thanksgiving. In 1988 he was invited by the IMB to become a coordinator for Volunteers-in-Missions. He and Irma then moved to Richmond, VA. His responsibility was to enlist, train and coordinate volunteers going on short-term mission trips to Brazil, the Caribbean Islands, and Jamaica. His travels took him to Senegal, Africa, the Caribbean and many states in Brazil and the US. He “officially” retired from the International Mission Board in 1996 and moved to McKinney, where he continued to serve the Lord at the First Baptist Church. While his health allowed, he continued making short-term mission trips to Brazil. He enjoyed gardening and woodworking, and, being near his family, children, and grandchildren. Boyd’s greatest desire and mission was to see people come to know the Lord and experience the peace that comes only from knowing and serving Him. He took great pleasure in serving God. He was and remained faithful to his Lord. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the International Mission Board, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230, or, First Baptist Church, 1615 W. Louisiana, McKinney, TX 75069.