The funeral service of Mrs. Alberta Cunningham Loyd will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at Spring Bethel AME Church in Louisville. Bro. Sanford Loyd will be the Eulogist and Rev. James Jenkins, Pastor will be presiding. Interment will be in the Spring Bethel Society Cemetery.
Alberta Cunningham Loyd was born and reared in Jefferson County. She was the 11th of 13 children born to Willie James Cunningham, Sr. and Margaret McBride Cunningham. On Feb. 28, 1948, she married Willie Lee (Billy) Loyd who preceded her in death. Billy and Alberta were strong and loving parents who raised their three children to be honest, responsible, caring, and respectful. They also valued the importance of education for their children and made personal sacrifices for them to have every opportunity possible.
Mrs. Loyd graduated from Jefferson County Training School and attended Paine College, pursuing studies in education. She graduated from Luvenia’s School of Beauty and received her cosmetology license from the State of Georgia. As a student at Luvenia’s, she received the Merit Award for personality. Mrs. Loyd earned her Master of Cosmetology from Myers School of Beauty Culture and served as an Instructor of Cosmetology at Swainsboro Technical School.
The African proverb, “it takes a village to raise a child,” captures the spirit of Alberta. Her care and concern for others extended beyond her family and into her community. She was known throughout Jefferson County for her guidance, kindheartedness, and encouragement.
Mrs. Loyd was an educator in the Grange community and possessed an entrepreneurial spirit. She owned and operated Mrs. Alberta’s Kindergarten for ten years and Loyd’s Beauty Salon for over 40 years, and served as a long-time independent consultant for Mary Kay and Avon. Mrs. Loyd continued to teach and train future cosmetologists throughout her career and started a women’s exercise group at her salon. She was the first African-American female to be sworn to serve as police traffic crossing guard in Louisville. Mrs. Loyd was an active member in the community and served as a Jefferson County Foster Parent Panel member, Hospice volunteer, member of the NAACP, and a reading grandmother at Louisville Academy. She was also a member of the Rising Star #31, Order of the Eastern Star – Prince Hall.
Mrs. Loyd was a deeply rooted spiritual woman and served faithfully as a member of Spring Bethel A.M.E. Church for over 70 years. She gave generously of her time and talent and served as the Women’s Missionary Society president, member of the Senior Choir, a Trustee, a Stewardess, Primary Sunday School teacher, member of the Usher Board, assistant class leader, and Vacation Bible School director and teacher. Mrs. Loyd also served the A.M.E. church at the Conference and District level as the treasurer for the Swainsboro-Vidalia District and Augusta, Georgia Conference Women’s Missionary Society president.
Mrs. Loyd leaves to cherish her memory her children, Cynthia Loyd Johnson (Howard), Sanford Loyd (Vanessa) and Vernetta “Lisa” Loyd; grandchildren, Mario Johnson (Shina), D’Wayne Johnson (Moneka), Wymberly Johnson (Tiffany) and Chanel Fleming; great-grandchildren, Christian, Chasiti, Chloe, Mia, Skylar, J’Ren, Nicholas, Kylan, Jade, Miles, Ari, and Aiden; niece, Margaret Ramsey Morton; godchildren, Kimberly Miller Winston, Sterling Graham, Mark Braddy, Jr., James Flournoy, Teresa Robinson, Patricia Thomas, Alisa Gibbons, Landis Gilmore, Rev. Marcellus Hannah, Sheleria Boyd and Chavon Martinez; sisters-in-law, Georgia Lawson, Ella Mae Loyd, Betty Sheely and Bessie Smith and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Spring Bethel A.M.E. Church Stewards and Trustees Gordon Grove Missionary Baptist Church Deacons and Trustees. Active pallbearers will be Eric Shannon, Greg Morton, Olatunji Cunningham, Dr. T. Dwight McGee, Jr., Roosevelt Alexander, Jr., Rintu Cunningham, Donta Johnson and Solomon Gamble, Jr.
The hour of viewing will be from noon Friday until 7 p.m. Family and friends may call at the resident, 1020 Washington Street, Louisville or at Garrer Funeral Home. Garrer Funeral Home of 721 New Street, Louisville, is in charge of the funeral arrangements of Mrs. Alberta Cunningham Loyd.