Leila Hickson Boatright

On February 20, 2022, Leila Kathryn Hickson Boatright passed on to be with the Lord. After battling kidney disease for over 10 years, her body was tired. So, when the Lord called, "come home, my faithful servant", she obediently followed.

Leila Kathryn Hickson Boatright was born on December 5, 1941, two days before Pearl Harbor, her self-proclaimed marker in world history. She was the first of five children born to Cleasie Mae and Edward Hickson. She took pride in being named after her picturesque, paternal grandmother who passed away prematurely; although, her childhood nickname "Katty" resonated throughout her life. And, she was enormously proud of being the big sister to her siblings Edward, Anthony, Annette and Cleasie.

Leila was a trailblazer - after acing an early entrance exam, she bypassed her senior year of high school and at the tender age of 16, ventured from Jacksonville, Florida to Nashville, Tennessee, to matriculate at the esteemed Fisk University. While there, she followed in the footsteps of her Godmother, Dr. Anna Grant, the Dean of Students, and pledged her beloved Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (DST). Her sorority sisters became life long friends; as a tribute, she named her first-born daughter after Sorors Ernestine Faye and Rhoda Jamille.

Always having an acumen for numbers, Leila graduated with a degree in math. She met her soon-to-be husband in an advanced class when the professor recommended David Joel Boatright, Sr., an enterprising math whiz, as a tutor. Upon graduation, they married and had four children: David Joel, Faye Jamille, and twins Karen Joyce and Kathryn Joy.

As a supportive wife, Leila transversed Tennessee, Massachusetts, Florida and Illinois with David who pursued a profession as an actuary with major insurance companies. When they divorced, Leila established her own career as a math teacher at Chute Middle School in Evanston, Illinois, where she taught for over 30 years; including, stints in math department leadership and coaching for the girls basketball and softball teams. Standing on her feet in the classroom for decades, conveying math concepts, Leila had a lasting impact on generations of Evanston youth.

Leila was beamingly proud of her children and relished in attending and supporting their activities. During athletic events, she made known her presence in the stands, much to the chagrin of many referees!

Despite the distance, Leila maintained a close relationship with her family - she was fiercely devoted to her mother and father, and always checking in with her siblings, Godmother, Aunts Vivian and Louis, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and "adopted" daughters. She cared deeply about each of them and their families and was sure to pass on notable news gleaned from extended telephone conversations.

After toiling for over two decades to support herself and her children, Leila was plagued by a near fatal, brain aneurysm in her mid-forties. Not only did Leila recover and return to teaching, she persevered and obtained her masters degree in education!

Leila's sports-loving, fandom transcended to her grandchildren as she enthusiastically cheered on Gabriela in basketball and Marcus in baseball, basketball and soccer. She embraced and celebrated Jasmine's development and accomplishments, Elijah's adolescent activities, and Addison's blossoming artistic talents.

Rounding out her later years, Leila continued to pursue her passions - participating in the local chapter of DST, Evanston Alumni; playing bridge with her local area cronies; and, attending church at Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal and periodic outings with the retired teachers. Along with being a card shark, Leila was a pianist, sportswoman, avid reader, church choir singer and seamstress - she was a true Renaissance woman!

Leila was renowned for her intellect, wit, high-pitched laugh, love of family and friends, thoughtfulness, and unabashed opinions. Through strength, tender-loving care and resilience, Leila surpassed her goal of living to 75, by over 5 years!

Along her journey, Leila endured numerous hospital stays where she always endeared herself to the care team. We are forever grateful for the warmth and attentiveness she received at Evanston and Atlanta area facilities, in particular at Summers Landing and Mount Vernon Village, under the loving auspices of Sharon and Solomon, respectively.

Leila is preceded in death by her father, Edward; mother, Cleasie Mae; sister, Annette; brother, Edward; grandmother, Annie Mae; aunt, Louis; Godmother, Anna; and daughter, Karen.

Leila is survived by her brother, Anthony; sister, Cleasie; aunt, Vivian Porter; son, David (Daphne); daughters, Faye and Kathryn; grandchildren, Jasmine, Gabriela, Marcus, Elijah and Addison; many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, adopted daughters; dear friends, and former colleagues.

The family anticipates a memorial service in Jacksonville, Florida at Greater Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fisk University in Memory of Leila Hickson Boatright designated to the Leila Hickson Boatright Scholarship. Send to: Fisk University, Office of Institutional Advancement, 1000 17th Ave. North, Nashville, TN 37208. Online donations may be made at: https://connect.fisk.edu/donation-form-one-time-gift and via cell by texting “Fisk” to 56512. Indicate that it is a Memorial Gift in honor of Leila Hickson Boatright, designated for the Leila Hickson Boatright Scholarship.