Jacob Z. Boekhoudt Jr

I will sing of mercy and judgement: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing…. Psalms 101:1On April 29, 1955, the heavenly host welcomed the presence of JACOB ZEBULON BOEKHOUDT, JR. lovingly known to all as “Skip”. Born to Jacob Z. Boekhoudt, Sr. and Cora Robinson Boekhoudt, in Belleville, VA, Jacob was the second of five siblings. His sister, Eleanor Boekhoudt preceded him in death. To say Skippy had a great love for music, is an understatement; music was an integral part of his life. As a boy, Skippy walked around with drumsticks in his back pocket. He taught himself to play the drums, guitar, trumpet, and later in high school, he played the trombone in the school band. During his senior year, Skippy was the band’s Drum Major. He was a natural at directing music. After graduating from John Yeates High School, in Suffolk, Virginia, Class of 1973, Skippy attended Elizabeth City University, located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, to major in music. Skippy did not complete his studies at ECU, but that did not stop him from crafting his talent for music. Skip grew up in a loving, nurturing and spiritually-grounded household. He admired his father Bro. Jacob Sr. and learned how to direct the choir by watching him. Skip’s love for family and friends was instilled in him by his dear mother St. Cora Boekhoudt. He had a kind heart always willing to help wherever or whomever he could. That foundation also fostered close-loving relationships with his sister St. Eleanor, his lifelong friend Bro. Terry Taylor, and his cousin Bro. Jose Farrar. The brothers Jose and Skip were partners in crime, often getting the other young people in the choir in trouble by making them laugh and was constantly instructed to “stop cutting up”. The family’s spiritual guidance in the Church of God and Saints of Christ, called his heart and mind to be baptized during the Passover of 1968. He was placed in the choir at the tender age of 12 ys. and In 1970, the late Rabbi H. Z. Plummer, GFA, saw Skip’s light and love of music so shine, that he ordained Skip and a select group of teenage singers into the choir. The last group of singers to be ordained by Rabbi H. Z. Plummer, GFA. At an early age he began performing in the role of a chorister, musically officiating wherever he was needed. The choir was his love, he served as a singer under four leaders, Rabbi HZ Plummer, GFA, Rabbi Levi S. Plummer, GFA, Rabbi Jehu A Crowdy, Jr., GFA and Rabbi Phillip E. McNeal, GFA. Skip was appointed Chorister on June 1, 2002 and then appointed in the position of Southern District Chorister, on April 19, 2004, by the late Rabbi Jehu A. Crowdy, Jr. GFA. Obituary Order of Service Besides his love of music, Skip had a passion for painting. His life’s work included beautifully transforming any type of dwelling. He was called on by many, for his painting expertise. You could always find Skip walking into houses, admiring the color on the walls and inspecting if the paint was “cut in right”. He also loved being around his family and friends, enjoying a good game or fight and enjoying a good selection of home cooked foods. It was during the Passover of 1974, that Skip’s teenaged heart was captured by a fellow singer in the choir, Amy Dyson. While life took Skip and Amy in separate directions, God brought them back together in 1999. Their love blossomed for four beautiful years, before they wed on the Caribbean waters, in San Juan, Puerto Rico on November 15, 2004. They had an unbreakable bond and shared many things in common, like their love of family, music and laughter. Skip was diagnosed with his illness in April of 2012, however he never let that stop him. He was determined to continue his work for the Church, and God allowed him to do just that. He traveled the highways with Elder Carey and Bro Jerry Palmer trying to get the songs of Zion on tape. He was dedicated in his role of Southern District Chorister, traveling to many of the southern tabernacles to instruct and support the local choirs. His love of the choir was so strong, that one of his final statements to his wife Amy was, “I’ve got to get to choir rehearsal!” God knew his challenges physically and He decided that Skip needed to rest from this labor. On Sunday, August 29, 2021, God showing his loving mercy, called SKIP home. “Well Done, Thou Good and Faithful Servant; Enter Thou Into the Joy of Thy Lord”. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife Amy Boekhoudt; mother Cora Boekhoudt; four children Corey Taylor (Nicole), Candice Harris (Timothy), LeRoyal Smith and Mariah Smith; five grandchildren Corey Jr., Jaiden, Kennedy, Charlotte and Elijah; two sisters Gwenda Powell and Cindy Herbert; five sisters-in-law Joyce, Naomi, Adah, Pat and Linda; seven brothers-in-law, Marcellus, Andre, Ronald, Steve, Michael, Jon Anthony and James; his life-long friends known as “The Belleville Boys”, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Viewing hours for Mr. Jacob Boekhoudt Jr. will be as follows: Saturday 4 Sept 2021 2pm til 7pm here at Corprew Funeral Home 1822 Portsmouth Blvd Portsmouth, Va. 23704 Graveside service will follow on Sunday 5 Sept, 2021 10am Belleville Cemetery Route 17 & Bridge Road Suffolk, Va. 23435

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Jacob Z. Boekhoudt Jr

April 29, 1955 - August 29, 2021