A private service for James Everett “Sonny” Boatman, 90, will be held Saturday, January 23, 1pm at Memorial Funeral Home with burial at the National Cemetery. Due to Covid restrictions there will be no visitation.
Sonny passed peacefully Wednesday, January 20, 2021 after a brief illness. He was born in West Corinth to W E and Luna Johnson Boatman on April 14, 1930. A recently honored alumni of Corinth High School, he attended the Memphis Academy of Art, majoring in interior design. Joining the Air Force before being drafted for Korea in 1950, he was stationed in Tokyo Japan. Charting missions in Korea, a top secret operation, was his duty. While in Japan he was immersed in the art and culture. Taking art classes, collecting treasures and making lifelong friends occupied his leisure time.
He returned to Memphis and designed displays for Lowenstein’s Department Store while continuing studies at the Art Academy, then on to Mexico City College. Following a visit to friends in New York City, he moved there with only the promise of an interview at Lord and Taylor Department Store. His “temporary” job with display lasted 20 years during which time he rose from an assistant to director of display before he chose to pursue his own design firm. Quite successful both with commercial and individual clients, he also opened his Boatman Gallery in Greenwich Village. His growing knowledge of Spanish, beginning in Mexico City, served him well with co-workers and later as an interpreter. Before leaving New York he purchased and refurbished a brownstone dwelling in Brooklyn where he enjoyed promoting neighborhood preservation and local artists.
In 1992 Sonny returned to Corinth immediately devoting his boundless energy to Corinth Theatre Arts, the Preservation Commission, the Verandah-Curlee house, the Heritage Festival, and his own Corinth edition of Boatman Gallery. His favorite endeavor was as a founding member of the Corinth Art Gallery. He served in many capacities from recruiting volunteers, searching out artists, displaying various media of artwork, advertising exhibits and openings. Also dear to his heart was offering art lessons for children and workshops for adults.
Sonny acquired many awards for his expertise in design, fashion, community activities and was especially proud to be selected as Corinth’s Citizen of the Year. He delighted in letting his beard grow longer to portray Santa during the holiday season. A tradition his brother Cliff started.
In the same determined, adventurous spirit, Sonny decided that assisted living was the place to be. Embracing that decision, he prepared by choosing special keepsakes to surround him in his new apartment. The many treasures accumulated over a lifetime were gathered for a living estate auction and he loved “living his life all over” as each piece was catalogued. That same spirit served him well as he was quarantined off and on since March.
Sonny’s favorite treasures though were his family and his “family of friends”. Preceding him in death are his parents, his siblings Cliff Boatman (Margaret), and Nelda Boatman Parrish (Cliff).
Survivors, who will miss him sorely, are several nephews and nieces Jerry Boatman (Judy), Danny Boatman (Jackie), and Lynn Haynie (Tim). Also LuAnne Parrish, Lanita Addison (Stephen), Amy Davis (Frank, children Frank Archer, Leland and Ella), Kathleen Oliver (Wes), Rebecca Hartfield (Clark, children Nathan and Wyatt), Robert Addison, Chris Addison (Joni), and David Addison, special cousins Kathleen Pett, Wanza Gray, Dianne Papasan (Larry) and Dale Ables, numerous Johnson/Boatman relatives along with his “family of friends”.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Verandah-Curlee House (P O Box 45, Corinth, MS 38834), Corinth/Alcorn Animal Shelter (3825 Proper Street, Corinth MS 38834, or a charity of choice.
