Boykins – Inez Sykes Lassiter, 89, died March 11, 2008 in her home which was built by her beloved husband, Hassell, who predeceased her. She was born in Southampton County on a very hot July 5, 1918 and was the last surviving child of the late Joseph Louis and Inez Williams Sykes.
Inez began her education riding her pony, Maude, to school in Boykins. She grew up on a farm on the corner of White Meadow Road and Sykes Farm Road. Inez, along with her brothers, Joe and David, and sisters, Eloise and Mercedes, often picked strawberries and asparagus to sell to customers "in town". She graduated from Farmville State Teachers College and had teaching tenures in Capron, Drewryville, Norfolk, and Boykins.
In 1941, Inez married her high school sweetheart, Hassell D. Lassiter. The couple enjoyed dancing to the music of the "Big Band" era, riding in the country to watch deer feeding in the fields, and looking at the beautiful colors in the sky as the sun was setting. They also enjoyed spending time at their cottage near Edenton with family and friends. "Mother" and "Father", as they were affectionately called by many, grew vegetables in their garden which they shared with others.
An active member of Boykins Baptist Church, Inez enjoyed Sunday mornings with the "girls" of the LLL class. Inez was a member of the Tarrara Women's Club for over fifty years and was a member of the Southampton Retired Teachers Association.
In recent years, she enjoyed the outings she took with her Red Hat Club. Survivors include her daughter, Kay L. Joyner and husband, Clint of Smithfield, NC; son-in-law, Jimmy Babb; sister-in-law, Annie Laura Sykes; brother-in-law, Roy Lassiter and his wife, Kitty; surrogate daughter, Jackie G. Williams; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a daughter, Linda L. Babb. A service to celebrate Inez's long and rich life will be held at 2 pm Thursday at Boykins Baptist Church with the Rev. Raymond Bunn officiating. Interment will follow in Beechwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at her home, 32114 Elizabeth Street. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Boykins Baptist Church, P. O. Box 316, Boykins, Va. 23827, or "Boykins Rainbows", 18309 Commerce Street, Boykins, Va. 23827. www.wrightfuneralhome.org