Courtli Fenderson Handy Boyd, affectionately known as Corky, was born on July 21, 1944, to the late Courtland Fenderson Handy, Sr. and Edwina J. Manning Handy in New Haven, Connecticut.
She transitioned peacefully on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the age of 80. She was predeceased by her husband, Arthur “Knobby” Boyd.
Courtli was employed by The Southern New England Telephone Company (SNET) as a payroll clerk. Due to an illness, she was forced into early retirement after 24 years of dedicated service. She was also an advertisement model for SNET.
Courtli was the unofficial hairstylist of the family. She began doing hair for her friends and family while she was in school and this interest continued long after she graduated. She also loved knitting, reading, cowboy movies, game shows, dancing, playing Spades, and her dog Foxy. She enjoyed spending time with and being around family, her nieces, nephews, and friends.
Courtli attended New Haven Public Schools and graduated from Wilbur Cross High School. After graduating high school Courtli attended Eli Whitney Business School.
Courtli leaves to cherish loving memories, stepdaughter, Leitha Lilly of Philadelphia, PA; sister, Edwina Collins-Vaughn of East Haven, CT; brother, Courtland Fenderson Handy, Jr. (Patricia) of East Haven, CT; sister-in-law, Everlena Handy of East Haven, CT; and an adopted brother, John Bennett of West Haven, CT. She is also survived by six sisters-in-law, Irma Hinton of Washington, DC, Gloria Jean Richardson of Hamden, Martha Ann Wilson of New Haven, Alice Jean, Rhonda, and Diane Morris of New Jersey; a brother-in-law, Willie Boyd of Hamden; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
She was predeceased by her brother, Bruce W. Handy; sisters-in-law, Debra A. Handy and Sandra Boyd; and a brother-in-law, Alfonso Vaughn Sr.