Celia Christeve Martin Boykin

Celia Christeve Martin was born in Columbia, SC on December 24th, 1944 to the late Mark and Junie Martin. She was named after her great Aunt Celia and for the day she was born; Christmas Eve. She attended Ridgewood Elementary- and CA Johnson High School, continuing her education at Virginia State University, studied and traveled in Europe with the Sorbonne in Paris, France and finally receiving a Master's Degree from Trinity College in Washington, DC. She married James Partie Boykin in 1971 and from this union there are three children; James Jr., Valerie, and Jocelyn.

Celia LOVED her home, art that represented her heritage, colors, her doll collection, neighborhood, friends, and the families whose lives she impacted. Celia (called “Chris” if you are from South Carolina) was a true example of a community builder. She was the epitome of “it takes a village." She lived it, built it, and nurtured it in every space she graced. Celia was the most joyful and loyal Washingtonian. Washington, DC, and her neighborhood, was always a source of great pride and her chosen sanctuary. She often enjoyed taking friends and family on tours of the city so they could see its splendor. Celia had an open door, a warm smile, delicious food to share, and sage advice that was flavored with her positive attitude and hilarious sense of humor. Most days there was also a yummy pound cake waiting to be served just coming out of the oven or a pot of soup on the stove. When you visited you could count on a delicious meal being offered along with a glass of her famous iced tea!

After her husband passed, Celia often opened her home to students and young professionals in need of a short-term place to stay. Celia enjoyed sharing her home and her community. Some were there for a few months, some stayed for years; ALL became family.

Celia’s professional life was focused on creating safe and nurturing environments for young children. She believed that early childhood education is the foundation that sets the trajectory for children and families to be successful. She was a nurturer of every child in her path, no matter who their parents were or what race they were. She would often stop parents wherever she was; on an airplane, in the grocery store, shopping malls or on the street to say what a beautiful baby they had and how lucky they were to have the opportunity to build a life for a precious human being. Very subtly she’d remind them of the importance of reading to their child, playing with them and showing them love and affection. She had the ability to see what a child needed and worked hard to meet that need, and not just for her own children but all whose paths she crossed.

Over the span of her career, she served as Director for over 6 childcare centers; many of them she nurtured from their inception. She was very well known in her profession and was an active member of the National and local Associations for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and served as president of the DCAEYC. Most notably however, Celia was the first African American women to serve as a Director for a Federal Government childcare center at the United States Department of Labor. Celia’s visionary leadership was the catalyst for DOL’s current childcare space where her legacy of excellence in nurturing and educating lives on. She worked with her friends in child care , and together they formed The Child Care Group a company focused on developing early childhood centers in Washington DC. Her partners in this business endeavor were Anne Byrne, Arlene Altman and Barbara Karth. They were formidable and groundbreaking leaders in their field, as their programs were new to the Federal child care landscape and were being implemented all over the DC area.

As accomplished as she was, one of her favorite jobs was serving as back-up “paper girl” for her children when they missed the morning delivery of the Washington Post for the neighborhood. She knew EVERYBODY and they knew her. She often shared that her papers landed on the porch every time and that she was never late.

Celia was a faithful member of St. Paul Baptist Church for almost 50 years. She joined St. Paul because she wanted a small nurturing church home for her children. Celia loved her church family and served in many roles throughout the years including teaching in vacation bible school, playing the piano for Sunday school, and participating in many Sunday programs.

Celia was a prolific writer and published articles in the Washington Post, professional publications, various magazines, and her church Gazette.

In her retirement she enjoyed traveling with her family and friends and being “Nana” to her beautiful grandchildren. She enjoyed volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House for families whose children were receiving treatment at Children's Hospital. She also became a consultant for Teaching Strategies where she trained and mentored future educators of young children nationwide.

Celia leaves to cherish her memory, her sister June Perry-Stevens (Bill); children Valerie (Matt) Pair, James (Birgit) Boykin, Jocelyn (Akil) Ross, bonus daughters Yvonne Watkins and Cynthia Brown, and her lifelong friends and confidants, Rose Marie Crook and Eleanor Woods. Her grandchildren, Valerie, Camille and Ethan Pair; Barron, Bastian and Mila Boykin, Alyssa and Akil Ross, Jr., J’Ronrico and Krystal Stanley; Karika, Shanita, Ursula, Staceia and Tore Watkins; nephew Mark A. Martin and Sherrie (Marshall), devoted nieces, Krystle Rogers and Deborah Martin will all deeply miss her warm smile and generous hugs.

Her husband, parents, bonus daughter Darlene Stanley, brother, Mark Martin Jr. all preceded her in death. Celia peacefully transitioned on July 26, 2023, surrounded by loved ones, in her home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fort-lincoln.com for the Boykin family.