Mrs. Krystal Yvonne Boddie

In Loving Memory of Krystal Yvonne Boddie affectionately called Krys and Kristy was born on June 2, 1953 in River Rouge, Michigan. She was the only child of Irma and Johnnie Beckham Jr. (both deceased) and was Irma’s energetic beautiful pride and joy. Irma even once considered auditioning Krystal’s image for a Carnation Milk Box contest. Krystal had a happy early childhood attending Ecorse Public Schools. As a teen, she was fun loving and outgoing and had an immense love for her extended family which included her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She enjoyed, roller skating, skiing, sewing, baking, traveling, hunting, fishing and working in the family market called Huffman’s Fish and Poultry. Krystal also had grit. She could be fearless, unbarred and unvarnished pulling no punches and known not to sugar-coat much. Krystal’s academic rise was met with the tragedy of her mother’s premature death leaving her with the obligation of helping to raise her half-sister (Kimberly Williams) with her step father (Allen Cleveland, deceased). Even though Kimberly was 20 years younger; they formed a loving inseparable relationship. As an early Christian, Krystal stepped up to the challenge and successfully persevered in her new role and with her desire to become a nurse. Her “faith and union at the First Baptist Church of Ecorse, Michigan provided a firm spiritual foundation. That base paved the way for her to begin and complete classes at Ferris State University where she received an Associate’s Degree. Upon further studies at the University of Detroit Mercy, she obtained a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing. Krystal also held certifications in Massage Therapy and Reiki, a form of Japanese energy healing used as alternative medicine. She nurtured that same faith as a devoted active member at Southfield’s New Hope Missionary Baptist Church where she served in several ministries over 20 years until she became unable to attend. Her nursing expertise was utilized during her career through employment with North Detroit General Hospital, Westland Psychiatric Center, Botsford Hospital and Blue Cross Complete, where she retired as a Telephonic Nurse Case Manager. Kellen Hampton, Krystal’s’ only son (from a previous marriage to Kevin Hampton) was her heart. She was so proud of the handsome professional young man that he has become. As he overcame life threatening medical challenges over the years, she was his coach and confidant; nursing and guiding him to better health. Kristy was his rock and he was hers. And in return he provided her with the same level of love and confidence during her illness and he was always by her side. She instilled in him qualities of strength, intelligence, faith and integrity. He is immensely grateful for her commitment to him and he loved her dearly. There was nothing he would not do for her. Krystal found her true soul mate in D.W. Boddie. They were married for 30 years. He became her best friend and partner. They worked tirelessly and lovingly together and took the time to honor and celebrate each other through birthdays and anniversaries. They even recommitted themselves to each other for their 25th anniversary. Everyone who knows them experienced their love as husband and wife. Theirs’ was a marriage made in heaven. “D” speaks fondly of her saying “she made me all that I am today”. She came into my life at a very low point and made me the most happiest and blessed husband.” Krystal truly valued friendships, they were sacred to her. There are few who can say they have maintained close loving relationships for 60+ years. Those were the friendships that Kristy nurtured with Marsha Perry Starkes, Melanie Colbert and Rosemary Mazon. They met during their early childhoods and are were BFF’s for life, always supporting and uplifting one another to no end. Kristy was very possessive of her friends but little did she know that during nursing school she would align herself with a nursing comrade Linda Burks. She and Linda formed an irreplaceable bond also and everyone who knew them knows that. They called themselves “Thelma & Louise” and were also BFF’s for life. Their plan was to grow old together and share fond memories about their lives as nurses and their frequent travels together. They were joined at the hip. Friendships were an intricate part of Kristy’s life and she had a way of letting each of her friends know just how special they were to her. All of them are devastated with the loss of their “sister-friend” and will earnestly miss her. A reflection of Krystal’s life would not be complete without recognizing her love for the Ecorse High School Class of 1971. She was the glue that held her classmates together through their 5th- 50th reunions. She was their biggest cheerleader. The epitome of Krystal’s continuous service to others was captured in her dedicated membership, since 2004, with the Professional Nursing Sorority Lambda Chi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, incorporated. She joined with like mined nurses from across the country. Their primary purpose is to give back to the community through health services, information, teachings, fundraisers and volunteerism on national, regional and local levels. Her activism with the group catapulted her to the following positions; Undergrad Adviser, Nomination Chair, Adopt a Highway Leader and Hospitality Chair. When Krystal wanted to get off the grid of life, she sought solace and comfort in heading north to her and D’s Oasis off of Spruce Lake, in Pleasant Plains, Michigan. It is near the iconic and historical township of Idlewild. This was her happy tranquil place where they frequently boated and fished literally a few feet from their cottages. Every opportunity that availed itself, you would find Krystal up north with D, sometimes by herself and sometime with her friends and sometimes with family. Krystal had a genuine desire to be of service to others in whatever capacity she could. She was also an “artistic visionary” who could see the value and possibility in things that most people would quickly discard. She had the keen ability to take a little of nothing and turn it into something grand or fantastic. On Saturday, December 2, 2023, Krystal Yvonne Boddie made her transition after a valiant effort to overcome her medical condition. She lived a phenomenal life of service and touched many lives. Her presence and dedication will be greatly missed by her devoted husband D. W. Boddie; loving and dedicated son Kellen Hampton; committed sister Kimberly Williams (Michael); affectionate and devoted aunt Alfreda (Robert Clay); loyal and caring cousin, whom she loved like a brother Winston (Kathy Welch); loving bonus brother and sister Mark Beckham and Sandra Beckham (brother Anthony Beckham preceded her in death); faithful friends Linda (Melvin Burks), Marsha (Darnell Starkes Jr.), Melanie (Dr. Curles Colbert), and Rosemary Mazon (Kellen’s God Mother); Rev. Horace Sheffield III (Kellen’s God Father); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, numerous friends, co-workers and dutiful Chi Eta Phi Sorority Sisters throughout the United States.

Mrs. Krystal Yvonne Boddie

June 2, 1953 - December 2, 2023