John D. Boyette Family

John D. Boyette was born on February 10, 1873 in Lincoln County, Mississippi.  In 1893, he married Lucy Douglas who was also born in Lincoln County on February 19, 1876.

From Our Island Heritage, Vol. 3, 1978, compiled by Sophie Haley and Mickie Smith:

John Boyette was a farmer and syrup maker at his Mississippi home.  In 1919, John moved his family to Louisiana because of better farming land than the rocky hills of Mississippi provided.  They first lived for one year near Waterproof and then the next year moved to Sicily Island and farmed as sharecroppers on Cicero Jacob Meyers' place.  After a year there, the family moved to the Cane Road and farmed a place for Henry Krause for several years.  They later farmed the Gordon Place north of the Village of Sicily Island.  After John Boyette's death in 1930, Lucy Boyette and their children continued to farm the land for two years.  The Boyette children began to leave to establish their own homes so Lucy sold her farm equipment and made her home with her son, Enon, who at that time was living in the Leland community.

The Boyette family were faithful attendants at Pine Hill Baptist Church for many years.  John was a Deacon, a dedicated worker, and leader in the activities of the church.  Every member of the family at one time held membership in Pine Hill Baptist Church.  From this church, their son Enon was called to the ministry.

John Boyette raised coon dogs in which he took much pleasure.  He also liked to fish and many times would load his large family in the wagon and go for all day (and sometimes overnight) fishing trips to Lake Louie, originally known as Lake Lovelace.  He was also a school wagon operator for three years and on Sundays and for revivals he would drive the wagon to Pine Hill Church, filling it with people along the way who wanted a ride to church.

John D. Boyette died on June 25, 1930 and Lucy Douglas Boyette died on July 7, 1945.  Both are buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island.

The following children were born to the marriage of John and Lucy Douglas Boyette:

Johnnie Lela, 1894-1963 (m. Anton Skinner, 1893-1965)  

William Hugh "Huey", 1896-1974 (m. Eunice Nannye Boyd, 1903-?)

Ira, 1900-1971; Buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island.

Elisha B., 1903-1965 (m. Tina Irene Dennis, 1906-1973); Elisha is buried in the Fair River Baptist Church Cemetery in Lincoln County, Mississippi.  Tina is buried in the Forest Park Cemetery in Houston, Harris, Texas.  (Editor's note:  tombstone photographs are courtesy of Melissa McSweyn Foster and Gale Green Brister at FindAGrave.com)

Enon, 1905-1985 (m. Iva Mae Ellerman, 1904-1988); Both are buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Winnsboro, Franklin, Louisiana. (Editor's note:  tombstone photograph is courtesy of Karen Klemm Pinckard at FindAGrave.com)

James Quitman, 1908-? (m. Anna Peniston Miles, 1911-1989)

Quinnie Inez, 1910-1986 (m. William Duncan "Bilbo" Hutcherson, 1910-1964); Both are buried in the Fair River Baptist Church Cemetery in Lincoln County, Mississippi.  (Editor's note:  tombstone photograph is courtesy of Melissa McSweyn Foster at FindAGrave.com)

Robert Rankin, 1913-1981 (m. Tina Cook); Robert is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Shreveport, Caddo, Louisiana.  (Editor's note:  tombstone photograph is courtesy of Shawn Bohannon at FindAGrave.com)

George, 1916

Estelle, 1913-1993 (m. Robert Domingue)

John J., 1921-1975 (m. Barbara Smith); John is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Shreveport, Caddo, Louisiana. (Editor's note:  tombstone photograph is courtesy of Shawn Bohannon at FindAGrave.com)