Buddy Boykin of Berea walked peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Dec. 13, 2025. He was born on Oct. 21, 1936, to the late Henry and Minnie Boykin in Brooksville, MS. Though his legal name is Ruben Henry, his siblings called him Bubba, which translated into Buddy, the name everyone knew him by. His wife, Nina, preceded him in death in April. They were blessed with one daughter, Kim, and her husband, George Bogie. The joy of his life were his adored granddaughters, Brittany Perkins, her fiancé Adam Atwell, and Ashley Cornett, along with his treasured great-grandsons Ryan and Theo Cornett. Buddy is also survived by his sisters Frances Hamill and Beth Kent, of Mississippi, and Brenda Johnson, Laura Beasley, and one brother, Donnie Boykin, all of Florida. He was preceded in death by his brothers Sonny Boykin, Ricky Boykin, Edward Boykin, and his sisters Cindy Pace and Barbara Poole. Buddy was a long-time member of Silver Creek Baptist Church but had most recently enjoyed attending Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Buddy’s passions and talents were many. He enjoyed fishing, reading, and woodworking. He loved serving and helping others and traveled to Mississippi on many mission trips. Known for his kindness and generosity, he gifted 146 rocking horses to many friends and family. He also loved helping friends and neighbors with any needs they had. He built cabinets, plumbed and wired houses, mowed yards, and repaired whatever needed fixing. He and Nina enjoyed gardening and loved sharing their homegrown green beans, cabbage, and tomatoes with friends and neighbors. Buddy served in the US Army with the 11th Airborne Division from 1954 to 1957. He retired from Delta Natural Gas in 2000.
Funeral services will be conducted at Lakes Funeral Home on Dec. 17, 2025, at 1 p.m. with Evan Eckler and Kenny Davis officiating. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Berea Cemetery with Joey Kays officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be Rick Terrill, John Portwood, Billy Linville, Tommy Davis, Jim Reed, and Larry Abrams. Buddy’s family extends heartfelt thanks to caregivers Carolyn, Janet, and Linda, and special friends who became family, John and Dana Portwood, Evan and Lindsay Eckler, and Emily and Marcus Mofield, and his wonderful hospice nurse, Christal.
In honor of Buddy’s life, donations may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church, Berea, or Hospice Care Plus.
