'A godsend': Tallahassee native, FAMU student who drowned at Miramar Beach remembered at vigil
Florida A&M University students and family members held a candlelight vigil Wednesday evening on campus in honor of Alexander Boyd, a 20-year-old FAMU sophomore who died Saturday after he was caught in the waves at Miramar Beach.
About 100 friends and loved ones made their way to the Southern Scholarship Foundation’s Knight House at FAMU on the day that would have been Boyd’s 21st birthday, they arrived with flowers in hand and arms wide open ready to greet and console each other in tears.
“Alex was a godsend,” Boyd’s mother Alice Riley told the Tallahassee Democrat. “He was just a good child. I never had to worry about him as far as getting into trouble or anything. He was kind-hearted, just as everyone says. At home, he was the same way.”
Boyd, who was a brother to six siblings, was also a Tallahassee native majoring in architecture at FAMU after graduating from Rickards High School in 2021.
While he was on a trip with his roommates at Miramar Beach Saturday, they were caught in the middle of strong waves 150 yards away from shore when Boyd was pulled under. After a rescue team launched a search for him, they found him, but it was too late.
Previous coverage:FAMU student, Rickards High grad, who drowned in Miramar Beach, brought 'joy to everyone'
Two photos of Boyd stood between two floral wreaths at the vigil, with one of his pictures having thoughtful words written all around it about how much he was loved and will be missed.
“He had a smile that would glow and loved everybody that he met,” Boyd’s grandmother Josephine Bell said. “If he didn’t have anything good to say, he didn’t say anything at all.”
“He was dedicated to his education and just loved life,” she added.
Many students, such as his housemates, described Boyd as caring and a joy to be around.
Reggie Dotson, the housing manager of SSF’s Knight House on FAMU’s campus, spoke on behalf of the group of young men Boyd lived with.
“We will always miss his warm heart and big smile,” Dotson said with a trembling voice in between tears.
The song selections “Never Would Have Made It” by Marvin Sapp and “Really Gonna Miss You” by Smokey Robinson were played as everyone stood in silence, and they gradually lit their candles by passing on the flame to their neighbors.
When the vigil came to an end, students chimed in to sing the traditional "Happy Birthday" song in remembrance of Boyd.
Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on twitter @tarahjean_.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU student, Rickards grad Alexander Boyd remembered at vigil
