OBITUARY
MARY AUGUSTA BOYKIN 1897
AUGUST 22 - 1993 NOVEMBER 02
Mary Augusta Boykin, the
eldest child of William Henry and Ellen Pannell Freeman, was born
August 22, 1897 in Princeton New Jersey.
Mary attended Hartshorn
School for Girls in Virginia and graduated from Howard University in
1918. After graduation she taught home economics at Payne College
in Augusta, Georgia. Leaving Georgia, Mary went next to Okmulgee,
Oklahoma and then to Chicago, Illinois. Upon arrival in Chicago,
she contacted her college chum, Charlemae Rollins, whose husband,
Joseph Rollins, fixed her up with a fellow veterinarian as a "blind
date". Mary never taught school again, instead she married her
"blind date" , Arsenius Boykin, August 22, 1920.
To this union three
children were born: Arsene, Maryann, and Dorothea. With the birth
of her children, strong extended family concepts and religious
faith, Mary embarked on her life's work-nurturing children.
Mary was persuaded by Drs.
Campbell and Blanchet to come join Harold Kingsley's church on 53rd
and Michigan. For sixty-eight years she was a faithful member of
the Church of the Good Shepherd helping where and how she could but
centering her activities to always include the Church School of the
Good Shepherd She collected "birthday pennies", sent monthly
birthday greetings, took care of baptismal certificates, supported
the Boy Scouts, and all church school activities. She was
chairperson of the Guild; a faithful member of the Deaconess board,
the Committee of Fifty and the Minister's Search Committee. She
organized and "arranged" to begin the Hand Bell Choir for the church
school. The handbell choir and the Rose Window behind the choir
loft were her proudest contributions to her cherished church and
especially to its future generations. She was honored many times by
the Church, including having the 1978 All Church Tea Souvenir Book
dedicated to her
Mary's family was growing
up during the Great Depression. Mary saw needs and set about
helping. She organized the Sherwood School Mother's Club and school
lunch program and integrated swimming at Englewood High School. She
joined civic organizations such as the Chicago Women's Board with
Mrs. Clifton Utley, the YWCA and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. Her long
devoted service brought her many accolades including induction into
the Mayor's Senior Citizens Hall of Fame and the Harris YWCA Award.
Fifty-six thirty-four Perry
Avenue was a haven for friends where another place could always be
set for the six o'clock dinner. She had an "extra" child, Emily
Jane, who remained one of the constant extended family members.
Mary, when her son left for
the service, saw her nest emptying and started to work. She had
jobs with W.G.N Radio, the Chicago Public Schools and the Election
Board to fill out her days. May 26, 1966 her husband of 46 years
died. As the years moved on her family grew, Mary's grandchildren
became the center of the Universe to nurture, care for and monitor
their accomplishments with encouragement and love.
To always cherish her
memory, she leaves: her beloved son, Arsene; her daughters
Maryann Shanklin and Dorothea Avant; her grandchildren, April
Holmes, Maryfrances Howlette, Barry Boykin, David Boykin, and Jann
Tyler; her great grandchildren Courtney Holmes, Jonathan Howlette,
Clayborn Holmes IV. Marisa Howlette, Lauren Tyler and John
Christian Tyler; her in-laws Elizabeth (Arsene) Boykin, Carolyn
(Barry) Boykin, Clayborn (April) Holmes, Samuel (Maryfrances)
Howlette, Lamarr (Jann) Tyler; nieces Ernestine Craig and Olga
Green; nephews Archie Covington, Walter and George Dower and a host
of grand nieces, nephews, friends and extended family.
Where there is love the
heart is light.
Where there is love the day
is bright.
Where there is love there
is a song
To help when things go
wrong.
Where there is love there
is a smile.
To make all things seem
worth while.
Honorary
Pall Bearers
William Adkins
Samuel Howlette
Barry C. Boykin
Andrew C. `Miller
David I. Boykin
John W. Rogers
Clayborn F. Holmes III
Samuel Titus
Andrew Webster Hood
Lamarr Tyler
Acknowledgements
The family gratefully
acknowledges each and every act of kindness and consideration. My
God forever bless each of you.
The family is especially
grateful for Mary Boykin's Praying Hands made and given to her by
Ruth Franklin Robinson.
In lieu of flowers,
contributions may be made to the Mary Boykin Hand Bell Choir or the
Church School.
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