- Date Of Birth: November 4, 1925
- Date Of Death: May 8, 2018
- State: Florida
After gracing this earth and countless numbers of lives as a professor of English and Library Sciences at both Florida A&M University and Florida State University, Edna Laverne Lester-Boykin transitioned into life eternal on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at 12:20 PM, at her niece’s residence in Jacksonville, Florida. This determined, motivated and focused “rose” left this world with a beautiful smile on her face!
Upon her final flight, perhaps she was penned with these final words…
“WELL DONE, Thou Good and Faithful Servant, WELL DONE!”
Mrs. Edna Laverne Lester-Boykin entered this earthly life on November 4, 1925, in Lowndes County Georgia, having been born to the now late Nepolian Lester and Rosa Lee Burgman-Lester. She moved to Tallahassee in 1964, having come from Atlanta, Georgia, and resided here until joining her niece in Jacksonville.
Shortly after the untimely death of her darling mother, Edna and her two sisters – Elsie and NapeNola – along with their infant brother, Herbert, were sent to Waycross, Georgia, to live with and be raised by loving relatives. With the love of God in their hearts, Cashier Lester and his wife Rosa, raised Edna Laverne and Elsie Reatha, as their own children, raising them with pride. Albert and Hester Lester raised brother, Herbert and her sister, NapeNola, who were later joined in the family by Sarah. Uncle “Dock” and Uncle “Cashier” raised these children as their very own children, loving them and nurturing them with the LOVE and discipline that God calls us all to. Selah! Edna Laverne was a very smart, cute and articulate little girl. Even as a youngster she was independent, ambitious and determined.
Mrs. Boykin received a high school diploma from Dasher High School in Valdosta, Georgia. She then matriculated at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, where she earned a B.A. degree in English Education. She later earned the M.S. in L.S. degree in School Librarianship from Atlanta University. She accomplished further studies in Educational Media and Technology and higher education at Florida State University.
Mrs. Boykin’s forty-five year career dates back to 1948 when she taught grades one through six in the Georgia Public School System. A chronology of her career experiences include: Coordinator/Instructor of the Library Science Program at Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1955-1961; Assistant Professor of Library Science, Atlanta University, 1961-1963; Assistant Professor of Library Science at Florida A&M University, 1964-1966, 1972-1977; Director/Assistant Professor, Curriculum Laboratory, Florida A&M University, 1966-1972; Adjunct Professor of Library Information Science, Florida State University, 1975; Director, Title III Learning Resource Center, Florida A&M University, 1977-1982; and the Florida A&M University Writing Center, 1982-1994.
Additionally, Mrs. Boykin served on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) evaluation teams, conducted media workshops and participated in conferences, school improvement projects and church activities. She is a long time affiliate of professional and civic organizations. After a diverse career Mrs. Boykin retired in 1995.
Mrs. Boykin has been recognized and awarded with commemorative certificates and plaques in appreciation and for her dedicated service to the University, the profession, the community and the Church. Among her honors are the Florida A&M University Teacher of the Year Award, 1989-1990; the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Teacher Appreciation Tributes/Teacher of the Year 1990, and Retirement, 1995; Florida A&M Retirement Plaque, 1995; and the Paine College Golden Anniversary Certificate of Appreciation, 1998.
She is a member of several organization and Sororities, including Gamma Mu, Psi Chi, Alpha Beta Alpha, Phi Delta Kappa, NAACP, American Association of University Women, the Democratic Women’s Club of Leon County, Tallahassee Urban League and the Le Moyne Art Foundation, as well as other numerous professional organizations and associations.
She moved to Tallahassee in 1964, having come from Atlanta, and had resided here until joining her niece in Jacksonville. After earning two Ph.D.’s, she retired after lengthy career in university education from Florida A.M. University in 1994.
Mrs. Boykin was a faithful member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor R. B. Holmes, Jr. and Lady Gloria Price Holmes where she attended and served faithfully for many years until her health began to fail her. And even so, faithful members visited her routinely having bible studies and prayer with her in her home and serving her the Holy Communion, nurturing her spiritual health with true labors of LOVE…
Mourning her departure but cherishing precious memories are her sisters-in-law, Lottie Lester (late Herbert), Valdosta, GA; Sarah Walker (late Willie Q), Tallahassee; and Ida Boykin (late Alvin); nephews – Solister Lester, Sr. (Rosa), Herbert Lester, Sr. (Myrna); Darrell Lester (Kimberly); nieces – Fadia Lester-McGhee (Carlos); Donna Lester-Head (Alfred), and Jacqueline Lester; a host of many great-nieces, great-nephews, many friends and other loved ones.
Also surviving is a special lifelong friend, Deacon John Hale; and very special caregivers, Aretha Jones and Cheryl Hackley.
