Laura B. Boykins

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and aunt, Laura B. Boykins, passed away November 9, 2023, at the blessed age of 84 while surrounded by loved ones. She was born October 12, 1939, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to the late Ethel and Jesse Harris.

Laura moved to Saginaw, Michigan, in the early 1960’s and became a homemaker raising her four beautiful children. She took pride in spending time with her family and friends. Laura had a kind heart and was willing to open her home to anyone in need. Despite being known for her infamous gatherings on Fitzhugh Street, her home was a safe haven for all her grandchildren. Laura will be missed by family and friends.

Laura enjoyed working in her garden and allowing her grandchildren to help alongside her. She had a passion for cooking which she used to keep her family together. She loved to go fishing, listen to music, dance, play cards, and dominoes. Laura’s daughter, Charlene Brooks, who was her primary caregiver, ensured these hobbies continued. As a young child and young adult, Laura enjoyed going to church and having a relationship with Christ. In her later years she expressed her desire to get back in fellowship with Christ; in the summer of 2022, Laura accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and requested that her family take her back to church. When she was able, Laura attended Christ Image Community Church.

She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Charlene Brooks, and Pauline Boykins; twenty-one grandchildren, LaTaschia (Thomas) Collins, Derrick (Renee) Boykins, Katrina Boykins, LaKeya Jackson, Michael (Shatoyya) Boykins, James Boykins III, Cloteis Brooks, Marcus Hanserd, Charise Clark, Evelyn Hanserd, Laurice Hanserd, Robert Sr. (Tonyale) Clark; Jerry Boykins, Ashley “Grandma” Hanserd, Jermaine Clark, Marie Bass, Mario Hanserd, Andrew Bass, Christopher Boykins, Leroy Bass and Lekriesha Payne; she also leaves forty-four great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; two bonus grandchildren, De’ja and DeMarkus Davis; and a host of nieces, nephews, close relatives and friends.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents, Ethel and Jessie Harris; son, James Boykins Jr.; daughter, Laura Lee Hanserd; sister, Dora Agnew; brothers, Jessie and Robert Harris; companion, Moses Tyson; bonus grandchild, DeNita Davis; three great-grandchildren, Alexis Bardell, D’Angelo Brown and Maurice Jones.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to Pastors Eugene and Melissa Burton and the Christ Image Community Church Family.