Cleveland Jerry Boyce, Jr.

Cleveland Jerry Boyce, Jr. was born on October 14, 1952 in Salem, New Jersey to the late Cleveland Jerry Boyce, Sr. and Mary Ruth Boyce. He departed this life on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at Christiana Care Hospital in Newark, Delaware.

Cleveland, affectionately known as Jerry, received his early education attending Wilmington public schools and was an alumnus of P.S. DuPont High School. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United State Army. While he was known for his quiet, observant nature, his spirit truly soared through music. He possessed a remarkable gift for song and an encyclopedic knowledge of the Motown era—if a classic track was playing, he knew every lyric by heart. A lifelong enthusiast of the Oakland Raiders, his loyalty to his team was legendary. More than anything else, he cherished the time spent with his family. He leaves behind a legacy of quiet strength, a melody in his heart, and a spirit that will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Cleveland was preceded in death by his father, Cleveland Jerry Boyce, Sr.; his son: Jermaine Eugene Leatherbury; his sisters: Elaine Mitchell and Jacqueline Boyce; his paternal grandfather: Fredrick A. Baynard, Sr., His paternal grandmother: Ruth Wright; his maternal grandmother: Thelma L. Salter; and his maternal grandfather: Harry C. Strothers, five uncles, and four aunts. 

He leaves behind to cherish his mother: Mary R. Boyce, one daughter; Kamilah Thomas (Quinn); nine grandchildren: Ja’Nikka Caraballo (David), Charmaine Stewart, Jermaine Anderson, Shakir Leatherbury, Quinn Leatherbury-Thomas, Amari Thomas, Layne Leatherbury, Loryn Leatherbury, and Logan Leatherbury; four great-grandchildren: Brielle Caraballo, Jayce Anderson, Jaxson Anderson, and Kari Williams; four sisters: Shirley Harris, Dorothea Black, Gwendolyn Howard (William), and Anita Robinson; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

 1 Corinthians 15:42–44 "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body."