Deacon E. Boykins

BOYKINS, Deacon Ezekiel E. - Age 85, passed away Monday, December 7, 2009 at McLaren Regional Medical Center. Family hour 10:30AM Monday, December 14, 2009 at True Light Missionary Baptist Church, 6917 M.L. King Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11AM, Pastor Robert T. Rushing officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30AM Monday. Deacon Boykins will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 10AM-6PM Sunday. Deacon Ezekiel E. Boykins began his journey June 6, 1924 in Ashdown, Arkansas with his parents, Noah and Atlanta (Talton) Boykins. Deacon Boykins professed his belief in the Lord Jesus Christ at an early age. He graduated from Adult High School in Flint, Michigan. Deacon Boykins served as a “Steward’s Mate” in the United States Navy during World War II and was Honorably Discharged. He met Beatrice Bell and married her September 28, 1947. Deacon Boykins retired from Chevrolet Manufacture, a division of General Motors Corporation, after 30 years of service. He was a longtime member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where he served faithfully as a deacon. Deacon Boykins helped his son organize The Dime Missionary Baptist Church and also served as its first deacon. Most recently, Deacon Boykins became a member of True Light Missionary Baptist Church. He leaves to cherish his memory: 2 sons, Pastor Kenneth (Arlene) Boykins and Dennis (Lona) Boykins; daughter, Peggy Ann (Stanley) Person; 11 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; brother, Early Boykins of Wichita, KS; 2 sisters, Susie Ann Clark of Wichita, KS and Mary Ann McCoy of Fresno, CA; sister-in-law, Minnie R. Boykins of Wichita, KS; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends including Deacon and Sister Roscoe Parks, Deacon Willie Robinson, friend, Dorothy Pringle and good friend, Gloria Colon. Deacon Boykins was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Beatrice; parents, Noah and Atlanta Boykins; and brothers, Noah, John, Willis and Henry Boykins.