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| Johnnie Reed Boykins |
Celebrated and loved by his family and all those he came into contact with, Johnnie Reed Boykins transitioned to his rest with his Lord and Savior on June 4, 2014 at 10:30 p.m., at the Rehab Department of Kentwood Manor Nursing Home in Kentwood, LA.
Mr. Johnnie R. Boykins, Jr., was born on December 24, 1934 to the late Elnora Tillery Boykins and Johnnie R. Boykins, Sr., After the passing of Johnnie Boykins, Sr., Ms. Elnora was then united in holy matrimony to the late Linnie Walls, Sr., and he stepped up as Johnnie's stepfather and continued to raise him into the great man that everyone came to know. Johnnie was married to the late Amanda Bush Boykins and to this union 6 children were born. Years after the passing of Amanda, Johnnie married his current wife, Helen C. Bates of Kentwood, LA.
Johnnie was baptized and reared from an early age of Community Missionary Baptist Church in Fluker under the leadership of Rev. Bruce Hunter. Johnnie was a graduate of the class of 1955 from Westside High. He attended Leland College in Baker, LA majoring in Culinary Arts. He later chose to join the military where he served our country for a number of years and received honorable discharge. Johnnie worked many years as a Long Shore man on the river were he remained dedicated until his retirement. After he retired, Johnnie became a successful entrepreneur and owner of various businesses: JR Boykins Trucking, Boykins Vault Company, and Angelic Funeral Home along with Mr. Darrell Calvey.
Johnnie will always be remembered for the love he shown others. He believed that every young man and woman should receive a proper education and be afford the opportunity to make something of
themselves. He sought to improve the African American community and surrounding communities. He often took many high school students to Mississippi Valley College and assisted them in registering in school and many received scholarships. Johnnie did this out of his own expense. In many ways, he was a philanthropist and it meant everything to him to see a child become successful. His loving kindness was recognizable by any and everyone he met. He had a giving spirit and he would shared everyone he could if he was able to and he will forever be remembered for that.
He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving and devoted wife of 12 glorious years, Helen Bates Boykins; five sons: Darren, Wendell, Derrick, and Lyndon (Terry) Boykins of New Orleans, and Brian Richardson of Amite; two daughter; Rosalind of New Orleans, and Brittany Dillion (Brandon) of Amite; two God-daughters; Melody Showers of Hammond and Katherine Thomas of Fluker, a great nephew: Bobby J. Ginn; three brothers: Linnie Walls, Jr (Birdie) of Fluker, Percy Boykins (Ethel Bell) of New Orleans, and Hollis J. Walls (Mary Ann) of Houston, TX; one sister Darletta Turner ( Emile) of Baker; 12 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; and a host of sister-in-laws, brother-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Johnnie was preceded in death by his mother, Elnora T. Walls; father, Johnnie R. Boykins; stepfather, Linnie Walls, Sr., brother Willie Boykins, sister Deloris Walls and son Tracy Boykins.
