JOSEPH MERVYN BOYETT's Obituary
Joseph Mervyn Boyett was born in Mobile, Alabama but moved to Tampa, Florida when he was very young - where he grew up. After he graduated from school, he began working for the United States Customs Service. He transferred to Miami division in 1946. He rose in the ranks to the position of Assistant to the Director. He was employed with the U.S. Customs for 38 years retiring in 1980.
Joe was not content with retirement so he went to work for Miami Dade County Property Appraisal for the next 10 years - at that point, he finally said "enough" and retired and spent the rest of his time with his family.
Rachel Justine (Cotton) Boyett was born and raised in Macon, Mississippi. she came to Miami in 1948. She went to school and became a license beautician. she loved making hair beautiful.
Rachel and Joe found each other at Trinity Methodist Church in 1949. After dating for a year they were married in the Chapel at Trinity on July 9, 1950 at a lovely service attended by friends and family. On January 21, 1951 they became members of Trinity Methodist Church.
In 1955 the adopted twins from the Children's Home Society: Donna and Donald born on Sept. 15. They were baptized at Trinity Methodist Church. Rachel and Joe were both very active in the church as were their children. In 1966, when Trinity and White Temple were united at a service with a big celebration at Bayfront Auditorium, Donna and Donald became charter members of the newly formed First United Methodist Church of Miami. Then another big event happened in 1+80, when the church was moved to its new building site at 400 Biscayne Blvd.
Joe was active in Sunday School teaching in the McFarlan class for many years. he was President of the Methodist Men's Club and active with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts as leader with both Donald and his grandson Scott. When Donna and Donald were growing up he was involved with the High School Band. Parents went on every trip.
Scott Dareff, their grandson, was another very important person in their lives. he shares his birthday with his grandfather Joe; November 5. His mom, Donna, was divorced early in her marriage so Rachel, Joe and Donald helped raise Scott. Rachel and Joe were very involved with Scott growing up; his faithful attendance and his activities in church .he was "the apple of their eyes" and still is. As of this writing he has been in the Peace Corps; worked in United Arab Emirates and Australia helping to build and be a principal in a war zone. he has helped to write many books on this. His Grandma and Grandpa were probably the ones to help with his love to travel. They traveled everywhere locally and abroad.
Donald, their son, lives in Indianapolis and works for IBM. he travels to Miami as often as he can to visit and be with his family. Donna lives in Miami to be with her family. She is a wonderful daughter and is very devoted to her parents needs.
Rachel and Joe celebrated their 66 year wedding anniversary on July 9. They are a perfect combination for each other. Their lives have been so interwoven with that 50th wedding anniversary they renewed their vows in the Church and enjoyed a sit down luncheon for everyone that was there.
They are LOVE - for each other, their friend, their family and life.
What’s your fondest memory of JOSEPH?
What’s a lesson you learned from JOSEPH?
Share a story where JOSEPH's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with JOSEPH you’ll never forget.
How did JOSEPH make you smile?