“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” —2 Timothy 4:7
Hattie “Delores” Boykin entered into eternal rest on Dec. 4, 2018, with her family by her side.
On March 10, 1935, Whittie and Lillie Queen Ballard were blessed with their fourth child, Hattie Delores. It was a great windy and sunny Sunday in Wilmington, N.C. as they welcomed their second daughter into the family. Hattie became known as Delores by her family and friends.
Delores spent her formative years in Big Piney Grove, N.C., and attended school in Roseboro, N.C. The return of Daniel “Danny Boy”Boykin, a neighborhood friend, swept her off her feet and they were married in 1953. From this union four children were born, Dainty, Anthony, Lynda and Valarie.
At an early age, Delores received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and became a member of the Big Piney Grove Baptist Church in Clinton, N.C. Delores joined Immanuel Baptist Church after relocating to New Haven where she fellowshipped until her death. As a member of Immanuel, she served in the Willing Workers Choir, Missionary Board, and the Gospel and Mass Choirs.
Delores was employed by the Veterans Hospital in West Haven for many years. At the time of retirement, she was working for Chesebrough Ponds Manufactory in Clinton. She was a devoted wife and mother. She was not just a mother to her four children but to many family members’ children and children in the community. 52 Willis St. was home and a safe haven to many.
Delores was affectionately called “Mommy Losie” by many family and community children. She smiled and loved each one that called her by that name, calling them her babies.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Whittie and Lillie Queen Owen Ballard, her husband Daniel Boykin, son, Anthony Boykin, and grand-daughter, Bree Pearson. Two brothers Edward Ballard and Roger Ballard and Spiritual brother Wallace Hazard. She leaves to cherish her loving memory her three daughters, Dainty Love, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Lynda Freeman (Darnell), New Haven, and Valarie Boykin, New Haven; one brother, Rufus Owen, Anniston, Ala. and four sisters, Joyce Knox, Hamden, Ola Sanders, New Haven, Lillie Stokes, (William), Clinton, N.C., and Faye Faison, Waldorf, Md.; one step-sister, Carolynne Carter (Frederick) Sicklerville, N.J.; one sister-in-law, Nancy Ballard, Brooklyn, N.Y. Three granddaughters Danika Keels, Tira Moye (Darrell), Chineka Stanley and one grandson, Charles Keels; and host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, church and family friends.
A celebration of her life will take place Friday at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church, 1324 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06511. Friends may call Friday at the church from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Interment will be at Beaverdale Memorial Park, New Haven. Services by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06511. To leave a message of comfort for the Boykin family, please visit, www.hkhfuneralservices.com.
