Maryann B. Shanklin

Maryann Boykin Hood Shanklin, the daughter of Mary and Arsenius Boykin, was born in Chicago on November 9, 1923.  She graduated from Sherwood Elementary School in 1937 and from Lindblom High in 1941.  After completing her professional education at Chicago Teacher’s College, she served in the Chicago Public Schools as teacher and counselor for over 30 years.  She was awarded a masters degree from Governor’s State College.

Maryann was a private person with many passions.  She generously shared her zeal, time, resources, and talent with many.  Throughout her life Maryann completed personal growth projects.  Like the artisans in Siraph[1], Chapter 38, her task was to “...maintain the fabric of the world and (her) concern was the exercise of (her) craft.”  An accomplished textile artist, she designed and patented knitting patterns, served as president of the Knitting Guild, taught master knitting classes, and established her own yarn business.  

Like Tabitha or Dorcas in Ecclesiastes 7, “... her life was full of good works and deeds which she did.”  Maryann was active in social and civic groups.  She was a member of the Flower Guild and the Couples Club of the Church of the Good Shepherd and recently celebrated 50 years of sisterhood in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She also knitted and donated items to several organizations.  She was active with the South Side (Chicago) Dog Training Club.  And like the Queen of Sheba, she loved knowledge, for ...”the excellency of knowledge is, that  wisdom giveth life to them that have it. ( Ecclesiastes 7:12)  She mastered swimming, water craft and the UNIX computer operating system.

Blessed with an incredible memory and enormous patience, she encouraged those around her to pursue their dreams.  She leaves this legacy to her daughter, Maryfrances Hood Howlette; her beloved grandchildren, Jonathan and Marisa Howlette; her brother, Arsene Boykin and sister Dorothea Avant; her son in-law, Samuel S. Howlette; sister-in-law Elizabeth  (Arsene) Boykin; cousins, Archie B. Covington, Earnestine Craig and Olga Green, Randy and Joseph Green; nieces April Holmes and Jann Tyler, nephews Barry and David Boykin, and extended family and friends.

"Just once around the lake and that's it!" - Maryann