Billie Jean Anthony Boykins – former state representative in the Missouri Legislature, former license collector for the City of St. Louis and political mentor to many – died Monday from health complications at the age of 64. She was a heart transplant recipient and cancer survivor.
“Billie Boykins was a fighter to protect the interests of ordinary people, the poor, the consumer, minorities and those in public housing,” said former Congressman Bill Clay.
She was born to Annie Lee (Nunn) Anthony and Velpo Anthony on July 9, 1945 in St. Louis and grew up in public housing at Carr Square Village.
She served as a committeewoman of the 5th Ward in the early 1970s and in 1979 was elected as the youngest African-American female to the Missouri House of Representatives. She was elected as the first and only African-American female license collector for the City of St. Louis in 1982.
She helped to change the political landscape of St. Louis as she worked tirelessly on the campaigns of Congressman Bill Clay, first African-American Circuit Clerk and Mayor Freeman Bosley Jr. and a number of state Senators: J. B. “Jet” Banks, Gwen Giles, Paula J. Carter, Maida Coleman and Robin Wright Jones.
“Billie was a fighter and friend. She was irreplaceable,” Wright Jones said.
She also was instrumental in the election of State Rep. Rodney Hubbard Jr., her daughter state Rep. Amber H. Boykins and her niece Alderwoman Bennice Jones-King.
Her daughter replaced her as the youngest-ever African-American female state representative in Missouri, and they are the only mother-daughter pair to serve in any state legislature, according to the family.
“Billie has been a pioneer, a fighter, leader and advocate for the people and community,” Jones-King said.
She also worked on the campaigns of those running from the west of the state, including state Senators Phillip Curls and Mary Groves-Bland and state Rep. Shalon “KeeKee” Curls.
She was instrumental in the formation of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus and helped to start the National Organization of Black Elected Women Legislators.
“She did a lot for women, but she was bigger than that,” Hubbard said. “Her scope was huge. She could touch anybody.”
She maintained contacts at every level of state government. Mainstream candidates and politicians such as Gov. Mel Carnahan and U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill consulted with her and relied upon her political network. She was crucial to the appointment of African Americans from St. Louis to state boards and commissions.
“As a citizen, there are countless examples of her generosity where she fed and clothed people in need and assisted young people with their education and gave considerable time to charitable causes,” said License Collector Michael McMillan.
She mentored many African-American legislators on issues such as women’s rights, empowering black businesses, access to education, lead poisoning, voter rights and redlining.
Hubbard said, “She is going to be greatly missed. I don’t see anyone who can take her place. She had so much political clout and credibility. We have a great loss.”
Her husband Luther P. Boykins also was active in politics, and the Boykins were recognized as a North City political dynasty.
In addition to her husband, she leaves to mourn her a daughter, Amber Harilynn Boykins-Simms (Shaun Simms); a son, Luther T. Boykins Jr.; sisters Shirley Jean Smith (Sonny Smith), Cizerine “Renie” Ford (Kermit Ford), Bettye Campbell (deceased Emmett Campbell), Terri Tyler (Wendell Tyler); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends.
“I can’t remember ever a time when she was called upon to do anything and said, ‘No,’” her daughter Amber said. “She was such a giving, compassionate person. Everywhere I go, people talk about the love they had for her. I admired her so.”
A Celebration of Life for Billie A. Boykins will be held 4-9 p.m. Saturday, March 20 at the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation, 2112 Cass Ave. Entertainment, food and enjoyment provided. All donations should be made to: The KatyAnn Foundation, 4135 Shreve Ave., St. Louis, MO 63115. This is a non-profit family foundation to serve at-risk youth and their families with resources and scholarships.