Eugene B Boykin Sr.

Eugene Bernard Boykin, Sr., known as Gene and “Chea”, departed this earthly realm on August 7, 2022, at the age of 79, peacefully transitioning into God’s heavenly chorus. Born in Columbia, SC, on December 9, 1942, he was raised by the late Anne E. and Newton C. Boykin, Sr. He was blessed with the gift of song and a velvet voice, and in his early teens, Gene began his career in music. One of his proudest accomplishments was making musical history as one of the original members of the Parliaments with Charles Butch Davis, Danny Mitchell, and the iconic George Clinton. He eventually left the group and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served two tours in Vietnam during the turbulent war times of the 1960s. During this time, he was married to his first wife, Rosalinda Simmons and his two sons, Eugene Bernard, Jr. (deceased) and Stephen Eric Boykin, came from that union. After returning from Vietnam, he attended Essex County College in Newark, NJ to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice.

While residing up North, Gene was employed at AT&T, worked as a Law Enforcement officer in New Jersey, a Youth Detention Center officer, and a Park Ranger for the State of New York. Ultimately migrating to Georgia, he held several supervisory positions in corporate America including union representative for United Parcel Service (UPS). As a retiree, he settled on the Southside of Atlanta, making McDonough, GA home.

“Chea” was a jack of all trades, but music and bowling were his passions in his golden years. He married Alma T. Pointzes in 2014, who shared his love for bowling. Together, they were a dynamic duo and were a part of a bowling league, winning tournaments around the Atlanta area and across the Southeast. He loved people and children and lived life to the fullest, and he cast a wide net as both a biological father and father figure to so many. As a loyal member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in McDonough, GA, he participated in the Jolly Saints Senior Ministry, Veterans Ministry, and his greatest love, singing with the Voices of Praise and the Senior Choir. He was a kind, gregarious, one-of-a-kind personality and whenever he was asked how he was doing, he was famously known for his response: “If I was any better, I’d have to take something for it!”

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Eugene Bernard Boykin, Jr.; sisters, Vivian Boykin, Freda Boykin; brothers, Walter Jenkins, Newton C. Boykin, Jr. and nephew, Newton C. Boykin, III. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife Alma; sisters: Audrey Martin, Emily Sanders (Edgar), Purdy Jenkins; brothers: Allen Jenkins, John Jenkins; sons: Stephen E.Y. Boykin, John Judge (Jennifer), Nathaniel Pointzes; daughters: Alana Thomas (Curtis), Deborah Ross, Renee McFarlane (Dave); grandchildren: Cassandra Boykin-Irvin, Stephen Bernard Boykin, Jagade E-Boykin, Cirius Jazz Boykin, Elizabeth Judge, Aeioua Ysel Rett, Feliza Judge, Brendan Boswell, Natalia Pointzes, Curtis Thomas II, Elijah McFarlane, Isabella McFarlane, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.haistenfunerals.com for the Boykin family. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Sacred Journey Hospice - McDonough GA.