Ophelia Lloyd was born in Concord, North Carolina, she moved to New Jersey as a young woman, where she began building the foundation of a remarkable life. She first worked as a seamstress, using her skilled hands and eye for detail to support herself while pursuing bigger dreams. Always ambitious and determined, she went on to attend beauty culture school, becoming a licensed beautician. With pride and purpose, she opened “Mother and Daughter Beauty Salon” —her own business and a vibrant community hub where she helped others feel confident, beautiful, and seen.
In her forties, she pursued another lifelong dream by enrolling in nursing school and becoming a licensed practical nurse—a calling that brought together her heart for healing and her deep compassion for others. She was devoted to her patients, walking with many on their road to recovery and offering comfort and dignity to those in their final moments. Her gentle spirit and unwavering care left such a mark that many families stayed in touch long after their loved ones had passed.
In the early 2000s, she relocated to Wilmington, Delaware, where she embraced a full and joyful life. In her free time, she loved outings with the Red Hat Society, spending time at the JCC, enjoying beach days in Ocean City, Maryland, and gathering with friends and family. A spirited traveler, she loved cruises, and visited places from Alaska to Hawaii and everywhere in between. She especially loved the casino—roulette was her favorite—and cherished trips to Atlantic City so much that she even brought a roulette table to the beach house for the family to enjoy together.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Darnell Harold Lloyd II, and her sons Gregory and Patterson. She is survived by her children Regina, Pamela, and Darnell III; grandchildren Marcus, Lawrence, Erik, Mica, Andre, Kennedy, and Darnell IV; and a host of extended family and friends who loved and admired her deeply.
Always loving, always supportive of every dream—she lived with elegance, generosity, and an unwavering sense of purpose. And now, the Heavenly Father has called her home for the ultimate trip—eternity in paradise. A place well earned.
In lieu of flowers, please make online gifts in memory of Ophelia Lloyd, to the Alzheimer’s associationhttps://tinyurl.com/5n8ubjjtor the Dementia Society of Americawww.DementiaSociety.org/donate
