JoAnn Showah Boykin

Funeral services for JoAnn Showah Boykin, 80, of Hollandale will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Hollandale, MS. She passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2019 surrounded by family and loved ones.  Burial will be in the Hollandale Cemetery under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Leland.
 
JoAnn was born on June 18, 1939 to the late Sam Joseph Showah and Mildred Ferris Showah of Hollandale, MS. She spent her early childhood and adolescent years in Hollandale and graduated from Hollandale High School in 1957, where she proudly served as Class President.  She attended Delta State University, but her education was cut short to help care for her family upon the death of her father.
 
She married Vernon Hampsey “Doc” Boykin on February 14, 1960 and they made their lifelong home in Hollandale, MS, where she served as a teacher at T. R. Sanders Elementary School.  She was elected as City Clerk for the City of Hollandale in 1976.  She honorably served her community for 25 years until her retirement in 2001.
 
She devoted her life to serving others.  Whether in her work or home life, there was no denying her dedication and love for her family, her friends, and her city.  She was the glue that held it all together both personally and professionally.  She was, without a doubt, a guiding light, an admirable leader, and a force to reckoned with – (Doc would agree)!  She fought diligently for what she believed in, she loved deeply, and her strength was immeasurable.  She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know and love her.
 
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Hampsey Boykin and her daughter, Stephanie Boykin Holcomb, her parents, Sam Joseph Showah and Mildred Ferris Showay, grandparents, Laura Ferris, Joe Showah and Mary Simon Showah.
 
She is survived by her three children, Rebecca Ann (Melvin) Inmon of Greenville, MS, Sherry Lynn (James) Kilpatrick of Camden, AR, and Vernon Hampsey “Hamp” (Rena) Boykin II, of Collierville, TN, ten grandchildren, Elizabeth Ann Inmon, Melvin George Inmon III, Kelly Thomas Inmon, Jonathan Michael Holcomb, Ashley Kilpatrick Mello, Amanda Kilpatrick New, Anna Danielle Kilpatrick, Thomas Hunter Boykin, Taylor Hampton Boykin and Rena Chandler Boykin, two sisters, Marie Showah Baugh of Greenville, MS and Laurette Showah Humphrey of Madison, MS, 13 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
 
There will be a visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the church.  The funeral will be officiated by Reverend Alphonse Arulanand, “Father Al”.  Pallbearers are her son, Vernon Hampsey “Hamp” Boykin II, and her grandsons, Thomas Hunter Boykin, Taylor Hampton Boykin, Melvin George Inmon III, Kelly Thomas Inmon and Jonathan Michael Holcomb.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Special thanks to caretaker, Barbara Jean Johnson of Hollandale, MS.