Christine (Penny) Boykins

Christine Boykins was born as Christine Penny on November 12th, 1933 in Farrell, MS and departed this earthly realm to be with the Lord on December 31, 2018. She grew up in Dublin, MS on the family's successful 57+ acre farm. She was the youngest of seven children born to Tom Penny and Gertrude (Williams) Penny who were married on April 24, 1914 in Clarksdale, MS. Both of Christine's parents were born in 1894: Tom on January 9th in Raleigh, NC as the youngest of nine children to Tom and Dora Penny and Gertrude on February 26th in Vicksburg, MS as the daughter of Judge Williams.

After graduating from high school in 1953, the next year in 1954 Christine married John William Jenkins from Clarksdale, MS. As a result of this union they created two wonderful children: Vickie S. Jenkins and John O. Jenkins.

John William Jenkins graduated from Coahoma Community College in 1953 (previously named Coahoma Jr. College). He continued his education and graduated from MS Baptist Seminary in Jackson, MS. He then served as pastor for 22 years of New Light Missionary Baptist Church, Clarksdale, MS and a Baptist church in Memphis TN. He also served as President of the Union Baptist District Conference and Vice President of the State Conference. Pastor Jenkins went home to be with the Lord in 1984.

Christine married Willie Boykins of Jonestown, MS in 1970, and divorced in 1980. There were no children from that union.

Christine graduated from Coahoma Community College in 1955 with an Associate of Arts degree in Elementary Education; moreover, during that year she began teaching elementary school in the Coahoma County MS School System. She went on to graduate from MS Valley State University (previously named MS Vocational College) in Itta Bena, MS with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 1960. Christine completed further studies during the summer at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee AL in 1964; the University of Alabama in Huntsville AL in 1964; and the University of Louisville in Louisville KY in 1965. Christine graduated with a Master’s Degree in Education from Delta State University in Cleveland, MS in 1973.

Christine leaves the two aforementioned children Vickie and John: two grandchildren Shermetre (Jenkins) Smith, husband Neil, and Shay (Jenkins) Willis, husband Richard, as well as four great grandchildren Shawntice, Jeremiah, Victory and Grace with a fifth great grandchild on the way!

As a result of having seven older brothers and sisters (Lucille, Ellene, Pearl, Earl Sr., Irene, Mildred and Thelma) Christine is Aunt to a host of adoring nieces and nephews, as well as an amazing number of great nieces and great nephews, etc.

Her family legacy is even larger because after Christine's mother Gertrude passed away her father Tom married Revenda Taylor from the Vance, MS area. As a result of this union, six younger brothers and sisters were born: Leonora, Dorothy, Tommy, Michael, Steven and Gregory.

Walking with and loving the Lord since an early age, 64 years ago (in 1955) she joined Bell Grove M.B. Church in Clarksdale, MS then pastored by Rev. M.M. Morris of Greenville, MS, and has served in various ministries including the Usher Board and as Superintendent of Vacation Bible School. She remained active at Bell Grove into her 80's serving as Chairman of her favorite committee – the Decoration Committee and as a key member of the Mother Board.

On May 9th 1980 the Coahoma County Association of Educators, CCAE - a chapter of both the National Education Association (NEA) and of the MS Education Association, took pleasure in awarding Christine a citation in recognition of Outstanding Leadership in the Education Profession. In 1983 the Coahoma County Association of Educators honored Christine with two awards: the Outstanding Leadership in the Education Profession award and the Dedicated Service Award. Stating on the certificate she  “has been a Golden Ray of Light through the dark and lonely days of the birth of Education in Mississippi. The lives of children that you have touched have been made brighter. Our local communities, our state, our nation and our world are honored by you. We are honored to have the opportunity to honor you…”   From 1984 to 1988 Christine was twice elected and served two consecutive two year terms as President of the Coahoma County Association of Educators. In 1985 she was awarded the Coahoma County Association of Educators Member of the Year. In 1987 Christine received the coveted Teacher of the Year award from Friars Point (MS) Elementary School. In 1990 she received a plaque from some of her former students declaring her “The Very Best 1st Grade Teacher in the World” from her Hull Elementary School 1st grade class of 1964. In May 1989 the Parent and Teachers Association (PTA) of Friars Point Elementary School appreciated her for her “Many Years of Dedication and Services.” 

Her 1st retirement from teaching came in 1989 due to breast cancer. She successfully survived breast cancer and returned to teaching in 1992. After 40 years of elementary school classroom teaching, she retired again in 1995. However, her retirement wouldn’t keep her out of the classroom because she kept on teaching on 1 year agreements until 2010; serving a total of 55 years as an educator.

Christine was chosen as the  21st Century Civic and Arts Federated Club Woman of the Year in 1997 for Outstanding Achievement in Federated Work. In 1998 she was the 1st place winner the MS Federated Colored Women’s Club in the March of Clubs. Christine from 1998 to 2001 was elected and served as President of the 21st Century Civic and Arts Federated Club (Third District). In 2001 while serving as their Secretary, she was awarded the Outstanding Services Rendered award of the Federated Club.

In 2006, at age 73, Christine successfully pledged and was initiated into Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (Zeta Psi Zeta Chapter) in Clarksdale, MS. She served as Grammateus (Secretary) for two consecutive two-year terms, 2006 to 2008. In March 2011 she received the Basileus (President’s) Award for Outstanding Community Service and Special Support. She continued to be an active Zeta and until she no longer could, but there was never a time when she was not a proud Zeta.

Christine Boykins was an active pioneer and icon in the field of childhood education in the local area for over 55 years, touching and improving the lives of young people one child at a time. It remained her drive and her passion her entire life. She would have had it no other way. It is her enduring legacy.

Visitation will be Friday, January 11, 2019, from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM at Royal Funeral Home, followed by a family hour from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM.  The Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 12, 2019, 11:00 AM, at Bell Grove MB Church, 831 Garfield St., Clarksdale, MS 38614.  Rev. Matthew Terrell will be officiating. Burial will proceed at Heavenly Rest Cemetery.

Royal Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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