Mary Freeman Boykin

 

 
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Mary Boykin A Life Remembered

 

                             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.