Melvin Boykin

Mr. Melvin Boykin was born on October 28, 1953, in Candler County, GA to the late James Boykin and Irene Huiett Boykin. Sadly, Melvin passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at the Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Growing up in a small town, Melvin always had the motivation to achieve the most out of life. After graduating from Metter High School, he did not stop there. Melvin enlisted into the United States Navy and graduated from the Naval Training Academy in Orlando, Florida. Melvin knew he would be able to travel around the world on land and sea. While serving active duty, he was able to earn his degree as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) to continue his journey in caring for others when needed. After serving many years of active duty, he transferred to the reserves which was short-lived due to being recalled to active duty for support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Before his separation from the United States Navy, he earned the National Defense Service Medal w/1 bronze star award, along with many other accomplishments as a hospital corpsman, and petty officer second class. After returning to his hometown of Metter, Georgia, he continued to further his education at Swainsboro Tech (formerly known as Swainsboro Technical College) to accomplish receiving a degree as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), while being employed at Candler County Hospital for many years. Candler County Hospital provided the opportunity for Melvin to work as a nurse and an EMT to cover the Metter High School football games on Friday nights. After transitioning from the hospital, Melvin was always willing and eager to accept the challenge of learning different aspects of nursing. Throughout the years, he gained experience as a dialysis nurse, correctional nurse, skilled nurse, and lastly, psychiatric mental health nurse (Pineland Mental Health for many years).

Melvin acquired new and old hobbies throughout his life. He enjoyed traveling out of the state to see the beautiful sands on the beaches of Florida, North/South Carolina, and Virginia. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his wife Christine, and working on his Georgia Bulldog red fire color boat. Also, spending time with his grandkids and family, fishing, and cheering for his favorite football teams the, Georgia Bulldogs and the Atlanta Falcons. He also enjoyed gardening, building structures, shopping for tools, and overall, just being a handyman.

Mr. Melvin Boykin will be truly missed as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, cousin, and best friend.

Mr. Boykin leaves to cherish his beautiful memories; his wife, Christine Mikell Boykin of Statesboro GA; one daughter, Twyla (Travis) Boykin-Burton of Georgetown, TX; one son; Travis (Nikita) Boykin of Pooler, GA; three step-sons; Jaime (Alice) Smith of Metter GA; Latodd (Calandra) Smith of Statesboro, GA; Joey (Becky) Smith of Statesboro, GA; grandchildren, Dramel Boykin, Taniah Branch, Imani Boykin, Travis Boykin, Jr., Charity Smith, Faith Smith, Shaunta Smith, Nakijah Smith, Jocelyn Smith, Tamarick Smith; great-grandchild, Lauryn Smith, one brother Reverend Calvin (Lizzie) Boykin of Metter, GA; he's also survived by a host of relatives and friends.

Pembroke, GA 31321 with Elder Mr. John Youmans, presiding.