Through the Eyes of Leon Jackson Boone: Being Black in America

By Leon Jackson Boone

As I look back over my life, it was a good ride. I experienced many potholes along the way. Im not tired yet. The last thing I think about is death. I am not afraid of it. Why should I be? I cant do anything about it. Its just a sleep.
I cant move as fast as I once did, but I can still dance. This may be surprising to some; I still have fun with my wife. Someone may ask, How often? I will say to them, Stop hating.
It would be foolish to ignore the bad, the good, and the ugly in my life. Those experiences caused my faith in Christ Jesus to be stronger. My faith in Jesus made it possible for me to be here seventy-five years as of January 17, 2014. I hear what I want to hear, see what I want to see, and remember what I want to remember. I realize that I am only important to myself. And to preserve whatever life I have left, I must be cooperative with matters of confrontation. Exhaustion will kill you before old age. I refuse to call myself old. I call myself blessed.
To those people who think that they are too old to enjoy life and that they are walking through one of lifes valleys: Perhaps you are trusting in your exhaustion, not in God. And you are thinking this is how you are supposed to feel as years pass you by. You dont have to be older than you are. When your load gets too heavy to carry, dont give upthis is an opportunity for God, in Christ Jesuss name, to take charge of you. There is no competition or stereotypes in God; just be who you are. Refuse to give up your happiness because you are older and instead think about your accomplishments and enjoy all of your abilities.
The thought of loneliness and bitter disappointments brings self-pity and fear. When you dwell too long on bad circumstances, it will make you feel old and rob you of peace of mind. Respond to the love of Godyou no longer need to speculate upon the quality of your life. It is good because God is good.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496935830

Leon Jackson Boone

Reverend Leon J. Boone, a native of Holland, Virginia, is a lifelong resident of Portsmouth, Virginia. He grew up in the Mount Hermon community also known as Forest Park. He attended I.C. Norcom high school in Portsmouth. To further his education, he attended Union Christian Bible Institute for three years out of Durham, N.C. and the Antioch Bible College. He received the degree of Bachelor of Theology from the latter. He continued his studies at the School of Theology of Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia and received a certificate of Religious Studies. He also attended Norfolk State College and received a certificate as an automobile mechanic. He served as Vice-President under Lee Brown and Ernest Hines of the Teamster Local Union #822 in Norfolk, Virginia before his calling to the ministry. Rev. Boone has actively participated in a variety of civic and professional organizations in which he has always reflected concern about his fellow man. The lesson Rev. Boone says that he has learned over the years is you must keep your enemies ahead of you. Other than being the pastor of Celestial Baptist Church, Boone says the high point in his life is that all young people get an education. We must give real possibilities to all young people, regardless of their test scores. He says he believes political power can improve the lives of people. If we do not recognize the skills of all people in America, we have failed. Rev. Boone believes that social factors are causing hardship for every generation. We will not achieve anything unless we can specify strategies to combat our neighborhoods. God is not lacking in spiritual gifts. I want everyone to know that my divine influence comes from hearing the testimony of God’s word.

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© 2014 Leon Jackson Boone. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 10/13/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-3584-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-4112-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-3583-0 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 The Purpose of the Book

My Family Tree

Chapter 2 My Family

My First Impact with Death

Disrespecting My Father

Going to the Movie

An Independent Woman

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

My Mother’s Friends

Lesson from My Father: Don’t Be Greedy

Half Brother and Sister

My Mother Taught Me the Secrets to Life

Mother’s Support System

My Grandparents

What Goes Around Comes Around

My Mother and God

The Key to My Life

Dealing with Uncertainties

Chapter 3 My Fifth-Grade Experience with God

Chapter 4 Pat’s Corner and Reckless

Chapter 5 God Will Answer Prayers

Chapter 6 High-School Experience

I. C. Norcom High School Football

Chapter 7 Resurrected at Sunset Lake Park

Chapter 8 Working With the School System

Chapter 9 Ministry Outside the Church

Chapter 10 Scholarship Programs

Minister’s Forum Scholarship 1991, First Scholarship

Minister’s Forum Second Scholarship, 1998

Celestial Baptist Scholarship Ministry, 2007

Scholarship 2008

Scholarship 2009

Scholarship Program 2010

Chapter 11 Social Pressure

Chapter 12 Television Ministry Beginning

Chapter 13 Pastor Ordination Service

Chapter 14 My Calling and Pursuing Education

Chapter 15 Romance at Seventy

Chapter 16 The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Chapter 17 Strange Bed Partners

Chapter 18 Through the Eyes of Leon J. Boone

Chapter 19 A Choice between God and Self

Chapter 20 Treat Her like a Lady

Chapter 21 A Personal Connection

Chapter 22 The Day-Care Experience

Chapter 23 Intimidation

Chapter 24 Race Relations

Chapter 25 Same-Sex Marriage

Chapter 26 The N Word

Chapter 27 Retirement

Acknowledgments

About the Author

In Deepest Appreciation

This book is dedicated to two women who had a great impact on my life. Those women are my mother, Mozell Boone, and my wife, Shirley Marie Williams Boone.

My mother taught me, encouraged me, and loved me. She made many sacrifices for me. Her ultimate goal was to guide me into becoming a successful man who was able to take care of himself and his family. She taught me in words and in deeds. She exemplified strategies that promoted the kind of individual that she wanted me to be.

My wife is a wise, compassionate, caring, loving woman of God. She has devoted her life to being a good person who wants to please God. Because of her faith in God, she has placed the welfare of her family before her own desires. Thus she is an awesome, supportive wife and mother. My family and I are blessed that God gave to us this virtuous woman. She has made a difference in our lives.

When I look at my accomplishments in life, Mozell Boone and Shirley Boone are at the top of my list of people to thank. I could not have become who I am today without them, their efforts, their love, and their support.

As I wrote Through the Eyes of Leon Jackson Boone, Mozell Boone and Shirley Boone, next to the Lord Jesus Christ, have been my most cherished supporters.

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With love, Leon Jackson Boone

Don’t be afraid of your future.

I want you to see what I saw in people while I was growing up in the South.

There’s no one way to do something; no person is too small.

Introduction

Life is for living. I have enjoyed my journey. The journey has not been without its challenges. There have been many difficulties in my life. I have had failures and successes. Every decision that I made was not necessarily the right decision or the best decision. Through all the trials of life, God has been right there with me. Grace and mercy have taught me, brought me, and kept me. God has blessed me tremendously.

In this book I share many experiences of my life. I focus on three aspects: family, the Church, and the community. While I segregate the three in this book, sometimes they integrate with each other. This is because Through the Eyes of Leon Jackson Boone was written on various occasions as God spoke to me and brought things to my memory. These recollections were given to me at different times. I responded by writing whatever God gave to me whenever He gave it to me. Whether the timing was morning, noon, or night, I took the opportunity to express the given thoughts in writing.

Initially, I did not know why I was writing my memoirs. I now know there are two reasons. One reason is for my family. I want to leave a written legacy for them, especially my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I hope that this historical repertoire will encourage them to reach their dreams. I hope it will illustrate that failures are part of life but that failures don’t dictate the future. The future is dictated by our response to failures. I want them to understand that failures are only obstacles in our paths, and they provide us with opportunities to improve what we are aspiring to achieve. I want them to understand the importance of being persistent, being willing to work, and of staying focused. Through my shared experiences I want them to grasp the importance of direction, discipline, and determination.

The second reason for writing this book is to recognize and honor those who have assisted me as I strived to do the will of God. No man is an island. No man stands alone. We need each other. As I have traveled the many courses of my life, I have had numerous supporters. Their assistance has enabled me to perform the challenges set before me with less resistance. People from various walks of life helped me; however, I would like to give special acknowledgment to the members of Celestial Baptist Church who stood by me. I want them to know that I appreciate everything they did for me. Their work was not overlooked nor was it in vain.

Hopefully, all who read Through the Eyes of Leon Jackson Boone will be inspired to fight the good fight of faith.

CHAPTER 1

The Purpose of the Book

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My grandchildren include Tawanna Stancil Boone, Bobby DeBerry Jr., Ronald L. Boone III (Ell-Bee), Leon J. Boone IV (Jay-Bee), and Leon Devon Harrison. My great-grandchildren are Alexis Yvette Stancil, Jalah Marie Stancil, and Jalen Leon Stancil. Other great-grandchildren are Markel Leon Hill, Kamari Leon DeBerry Bellamy, India Aalayah Gatling, and Bobby Leon DeBerry III.

I want to leave a written legacy for those who remain after I have departed from this life. I hope that my family will develop a deeper appreciation for who we are, for where we come from, and for our struggles and our successes. I hope that my family will be proud of this book. It is my strong desire that my grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be encouraged to have a more advanced life. I desire that they will receive moral strength. I believe that moral strength is capable of reversing the destructive influences that come into our lives. My advice: In spite of disappointments, which we all face, don’t give up on your dreams, and have faith in yourself becoming someone important. Don’t surrender your ambitions.

I woke up on the morning of November 30, 2012, thinking about my grandchildren. And this is what I see in them, not what they told me.

I try to introduce my granddaughter Tawanna DeBerry Stancil Boone to professional, comfortable fashions that look and feel feminine; I know that she is a first-class lady.

Tawanna and I have been close since she was born. Even before and after her marriage to Tony Stancil, a very fine young man, our bond continued to exist. I believe my particular ideals influenced the changes in her life. Being a single mother of three children now, she knows the importance of motherhood. She doesn’t focus on staying in the kitchen. She is a survivor who has turned into a thriving woman. She likes high fashion with a heavy-metal edge. She walks with pride. She knows that Granddaddy has her back (smile). You should read her life story.

My grandson Leon Jackson Boone IV, who I call Jay, has an unwavering faith in his values. I like seeing him in suits; he is noticeably cool. If he keeps up this traditional classic appearance in the future, his presence will be like sweet wine upon the lips of every woman. Jay is pretty much a jean guy. He enjoys helping young people. His passions are poetry, preaching, and politics. He craves the nurturing of a good woman and wants to give her the same love. Still nothing compares to helping his family. He likes a lady who works hard but can turn off the work when she is with him.

Being sheltered by their grandfather, Jay and his brother Ronald L. Boone III did not experience the Ku Klux Klan terrorism. But they are experiencing the right-wing politics that sees millions of dollars spent to suppress the Black vote.

Leon, also known as Jay-Bee, is afraid to be afraid. He wants to offer recommendations on advancing social and economic justice in America. He wants to make a difference for the good. This single young black man is ready for true love. Leon is a behind-the-scenes person who would love to share his moments with a loving lady. Intelligence is inspiring to Jay-Bee.

Ronald Leon Boone III is the brother of Jay-Bee. I call him Ell-Bee. Ronald is a person who likes to excel. Conversation is very important to him. He is an intense listener. As he listens, he wants to be told something he doesn’t already know. A woman would be surprised to know that Ronald is capable of giving as much love as he receives. But sometimes he shows it differently. His will to be vulnerable definitely bares his softer side, and he should not be judged for this. He has broken a barrier that defies every stereotype about him that you can rattle off. He values the simple things in life. His focus in a relationship is to grow together. Ell-Bee believes that God can handle any situation.

My grandson Bobby DeBerry Jr., better known as Bee-Jay, has a relaxed spirit. He is caught in between using precious love or facing life’s challenges. He is willing to take on responsibilities. And no matter what challenge comes his way, he will not back down. He will do the best he can with it. Bee-Jay does not want to be caught up in a favorite showcase. He wants a relationship without makeup. He wants a real relationship. He wants to achieve real love. I believe a woman with a sense of humor would be the ideal person for Bobby. She must also be a dreamer. Bee-Jay is the man in the mirror (smile).

I want to give you a peek at my vision of my grandchildren. Perhaps you have noticed that I am a big fan of my family. Why not? I hope there is no disrespect for them because of the characters I visualized in my book. I am not trying to sell you on these characters, who I love. My objective is to let you know that they are loved.

My Family Tree

Great-Grandparents

Moses Boone and Tina Howard Boone

Grandmother

Catherine Boone Knight

Mother

Mozell Boone

Father

John Thomas Knight

Wife

Shirley Marie Williams Boone

Her parents are Willie Walter Lee Williams and Emma Marie Clark Williams.

Shirley had five brothers and one sister.

Children

Arnitra Yvette Boone DeBerry

Shelby Marie Boone

Leon Jackson Wilson

Ronnie Donell Wilson

Rhonda Rae Wilson

Grandchildren

Tawanna Yvette DeBerry Stancil Boone

Bobby DeBerry Jr.

Ronald Leon Boone III

Leon Jackson Boone IV

Leon Devon Harrison

Great-Grandchildren

Alexis Yvette Stancil

Jalah Marie Stancil

Jalen Leon Stancil

Markel Leon Hill

Kamari Leon DeBerry Bellamy

India Aalayah Gatling

Bobby Leon DeBerry III

My Mother,

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Miss Mozell Boone

CHAPTER 2

My Family

My name is Leon J. Boone. I am the son of Mozell Boone and John Thomas Knight. Though both were my parents, only my mother was my provider. I did not address my father as Dad or Father. I called him John Thomas. He was a fair man, in his own way. Though uneducated, he described to me the possibilities if you have an education.

I grew up in the South during the visible segregation time. We are segregated today, but some people don’t know it.

I am reminded of the story about the preacher’s son who wanted to marry his young sweetheart. The young man went to his father and said to him, I want to marry the woman I love. I would like to get your permission.

The father said to him, No, she’s your sister, and your mother don’t know it yet.

The son went to his mother and told her what his father had said to him. The mother said to the son, If you love her, marry her. You are not your father’s son, and he doesn’t know it yet.

Political power made segregation a part of the African American lifestyle. There are people trying to remove affirmative action from the courts. Without affirmative action, minorities and women will not have equal opportunity in our public schools or our businesses. Some people don’t know that removing affirmative action from the courts will create a new form of segregation. They just don’t know it yet.

I wanted to write this book not as a reference for all people but to tell my story. I want to give attention to my growing up, my heroes, my politics, my life experience, and the issue of segregation then and now.

I believe that in the year 2014, our experience with discrimination in the past has a lot of influence on the way African Americans behave toward some Caucasians today. Is it a lack of trust? Some whites would try to use the same intimidation on black people that the Ku Klux Klan used years ago, if they could. The truth is that black people have not forgotten the Klan criminal attacks upon them in their community. And they don’t want history to repeat itself. This is their country too. Blacks are not going to give up their freedom. Why should they? When there is a conflict with other nations, African Americans are also called to fight and die for this country. And if they have to die for it, they should be able to claim it. It was sad to see people demonstrating against affirmative action and saying, Give me my country back.

We do have some bad apples in the African American communities. And I don’t look up to them or support them. If they are guilty of a crime, they should be punished. The problem I have with the jury system is that they will most likely find you guilty of a crime if you are a person of color—not because you are guilty but because of the complexion of your skin. Therefore,