John Bartley Boykin

A memorial service for John Bartley Boykin will be held Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at First Christian Church - Meridian, with Dr. Mark Benson officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 -10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the memorial service. The family will hold a private committal service at Magnolia Cemetery. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mr. John Bartley Boykin, age 32 of Washington, D.C., passed away Saturday, March 9, 2024. John Bartley (JB) was a beloved son, brother, grandson, uncle, cousin, and friend to so many people that loved him. He attended the University of Mississippi, where he received numerous honors including Chancellor's Honors. While attending Ole Miss, he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, where he held several leadership positions. The friendships he gained held such strong roots, which fostered personal growth, leadership skills, and an amazing network of Sigma Chi friends he connected with across the United States. His Sigma Chi friends held a strong bond of brotherhood that he knew would last a lifetime. It was these connections that helped his career begin and flourish.

After graduate school, John Bartley's career began in Washington, D.C. with Senator Thad Cochran. Here he gained a vast knowledge of the Federal Government. Following his time in DC, JB came back to Mississippi and worked closely with Governor Phil Bryant, developing a strong passion for Mississippi's international trade and international relations. During this time, his political fervor grew, and he knew advocating for Mississippi would be a lifelong goal. John Bartley worked with Herschel Walker for U.S. Senate as his campaign Field Director. He then went back to DC to work with Senator Ted Cruz, becoming Senior Advisor for tax, banking, finance, and business development. John Bartley recently shifted from DC to Bethesda, Maryland, where he became the Director of Public Affairs and Advocacy Strategies for Gunster Strategies Worldwide.

John Bartley had a contagious zest for life. His tall stature and good looks coupled with Southern friendliness, drew people to him. He loved hard, blessed, and touched many lives. He was passionate about many things, putting God first, his family, and his friends. As much as he loved the political world and being at the center of our government in DC, he was always thrilled to be home with family, playing with his nephews, going to Ole Miss ballgames, and hanging out in the grove was always where his heart lied.

Survivors include his mother, Leslie Gilmore Purvis (Jay); grandmother, Gail Griffin Gilmore; brother, Brett Chapman Boykin (Katie), nephews, Chapman, Hampton, and Bartley Boykin; uncle, Dr. David Gilmore (Mary); cousins, Marshall Gilmore (Mary), Mary Katherine DeBardelebon (Alex), and Laura Beth Gilmore; and numerous extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Bart Boykin, and his grandfather, Dr. Walter "Sonny" Gilmore.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Gov. Phil Bryant, Gregory Alston, Cole Hoover, Drew Cunningham, Austin "Bobby" Watts, Gray Manhein, Turner Holland, Bailey West, and Harrison Peyton.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Sigma Chi Memorial Scholarship in memory of John Bartley Boykin to 406 University Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655.