James Boykin and Connie Smith-Lindsey
Recorded
June 14, 2022
Archived
June 14, 2022
39:24 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
atl004653
Description
Connie Smith-Lindsey [no age given] and James Boykin (65) are fellow members of Ebenezer Baptist Church, in Atlanta Georgia. They talk about the Boykin family's history with Ebenezer, which stretches back to 1935.Subject Log / Time Code
Connie Smith-Lindsey [no age given] says she and James Boykin (65) know each other from Ebenezer Baptist Church, in Atlanta, Georgia.
James says his family has been a part of Ebenezer since 1935. He says his granddaughter is a 5th generation member.
James says his father hitchhiked from Woodville, Georgia, to Atlanta, Georgia, and worked as a baker. He says his mother was not originally a member of Ebenezer. He says she joined in the early 1960s when her husband was being made a deacon.
James says he joined Ebenezer in 1967. He says he was baptized by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
James remembers riding the church bus. He says he was closest to Martin Luther King, Jr's, children.
James remembers singing in the Children's Choir at Ebenezer. He says the choir was directed by Mrs. Alberta Williams King, affectionately known as Mama King.
James says Mrs. Coretta Scott King was special and always greeted him. He says she assisted in the baptism of his first child in 1980.
James talks about the 1974 shooting at Ebenezer. He remembers Christine King Farris consoling his Aunt Lois on the murder of her husband, Deacon Edward Boykin. He says Christine did not then know that her own mother had not survived her wounds.
James talks about the dynamic speakers he has heard from Ebenezer's pulpit. He says when Martin Luther King, Jr., preached, his father would sit close by and encourage him.
James remembers being present at Morehouse College when Martin Luther King, Sr., dedicated the King statue. He says Daddy King singled him out to inquire about his father's health.
James talks about his baptism in 1967, when he was 11 years old. He says both King, Sr., and King, Jr., were present. He remembers being scared and happy.
James talks about people looking to Ebenezer in times of crisis.
James talks about driving from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Atlanta, to attend services at Ebenezer. He says he would take a cassette tape of each sermon home with him.
James says Martin Luther King, Sr., continued to preach love after the murder of his son.
James says you can't be for civil rights and not be for women's rights. He says he continues to make the hour and a half long drive to Ebenezer on Sundays to make sure his daughters and granddaughters get that positive message.
James talks about Pastors James L Roberts and Otis Moss.
James says he was present for Reverend Warnock's test sermon. He says Reverend Warnock articulates what it means to be part of a black church.
James talks about his relationship with his Aunt Lois. He says following the murder of Uncle Ed, his father told him to take care of Aunt Lois.
James says he and Aunt Lois developed a routine which included taking her to Southview Cemetery every month. He says the last time he saw Aunt Lois was in 1984. He says she died of a massive heart attack.
Connie says Ebenezer is a strong church that continues to press forward.
James says COVID-19 got more young people to listen to Ebenezer's message. He talks about the church's legacy.
James talks about having to overcome some of his own prejudices. He says he was used to only men preaching.
Connie reads a passage from Martin Luther King, Jr's, 1968 Memphis speech.
Connie thanks James for having this conversation with her and for his dedication.
Participants
- James Boykin
- Connie Smith-Lindsey