Velma L. Boykin's Obituary
Velma Lee Boykin was born on March 6, 1923 in Oxford, Mississippi to the union of Mattie B. and Jerry Hurt. She graduated from Baptist Industrial High School in Hernando, Mississippi. She was baptized and professed her faith in Christ at an early age and became a member of Rising Sun Missionary Baptist Church in Hernando, Mississippi. Velma met and married Edward Earlean Boykin on October 4, 1941 in Hernando, Mississippi, and to this union six children were born. Velma and Edward relocated to Oakland, California in 1943, where Velma became a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Oakland, California. Velma was also one of the founders and members of Tabernacle Baptist Church of Oakland, California, where she sang and was a part of the church choir. She also joined and became a member of Cosmopolitan Baptist Church in Oakland, California. She later became a member of Palma Ceia Baptist Church in Hayward, California after the church was initially founded.
Mrs. Boykin was employed by a parachute fabrication company in San Francisco, California that made parachutes for the military during the late 40s-50s. She also worked for a potato chip manufacturer in Oakland, California during the 60s-70s, where she was the first person of color to be employed by them.
Velma had a love and passion for gardening, it was the time where she would plant and nurture the growth of her garden and watch as the many beautiful colors come alive. One of the many hobbies that she had was her love for working on her crafts, such as ceramics and creating floral arrangements and the vases for those arrangements. She would make ornaments and pottery, everything that would bring color and life to any home.
Velma also had a love for RVing and camping in their RV. She absolutely loved traveling to various campsites in their RV. Moments in her life that gave Velma so much pleasure was having everyone come together for the holidays, picnics, family reunions, or any reason. She loved cooking and baking and having everyone over for potlucks and barbeques.
Velma departed this life on February 24, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband Edward, her parents Mattie B. and Jerry Hurt, four sisters Emma Simmons, Dorothy Cotton, Elizabeth White and Ruth Davis. Four brothers Willie J. Hurt, Charles Hurt, David Hurt and Cheffie Hurt. Two daughters Betty Jean and Edna. And one son, Donald.
Velma leaves to mourn her passing; two daughters, Maxine Criner Barner of Las Vegas, Janice Yvonne Moss of Castro Valley, California. And a son, Michael L. Boykin (Sylvia D. Kidd Boykin) of Castro Valley, California. She has four grandchildren, Jerre' Criner Kelly, Robyn Criner, Michael Brian Kidd Boykin (Berrylle M. Arciaga Boykin), and Marcus Ray Derry. She has four great-grandchildren, Ronnell Smith, Jimmarri Watkins, Mikaylla M. Arciaga Boykin and Rayllan M. Arciaga Boykin and one Great Great-grandson, Eziah Watkins. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends to mourn her loss.
What’s your fondest memory of Velma?
What’s a lesson you learned from Velma?
Share a story where Velma's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Velma you’ll never forget.
How did Velma make you smile?
