Beverly Gaye Boardman, 82 of Atlanta, Georgia passed away on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, after a long battle with COPD. She was born on May 21, 1941. She was the daughter of Frederick James Boardman and Virginia Little Boardman.
A native Atlantan, Gaye attended Northside High School where she was known as "the girl that invented the Tiger", an idea she created as a sophomore to become a varsity cheerleader and champion the high school spirit as the Tiger Mascot. Her natural beauty, competitiveness, and athleticism earned her notoriety in 1958 on the front cover of the Atlanta Journal & Constitution Magazine sporting a beautiful toe touch jump in full color – the first full color image printed in the AJC. After graduation, she attended Florida State University and was a member of Kappa Delta and the famed High Flying Circus as an aerial acrobat. Post college, she remained involved with the Northside High School Alumni Organization and spearheaded numerous gatherings and class reunions. She always loved a good party!
Gaye enjoyed ballet, dancing, piano, and a variety of competitive sports, including gymnastics, swimming, diving, sport fishing, and skeet shooting. Her guy friends were always envious of her drag racing skills on the streets of Buckhead and Daytona Beach. She was a passionate animal lover of all kinds, especially dogs. She always had a full house of furry four-legged friends. Major and Scout were her best friends. When she was not walking the dogs, she loved riding horses which she continued to do into her 70's.
She had an accomplished professional life working for Tom Cousins, Ed Iskason, Pete Jolley and numerous other real estate legends. As a member of the Atlanta Board of REALTORS she earned several Top Producer Awards throughout her 50-year career. She enjoyed helping others and was loved by all her customers. In retirement, she put her green thumb to work and volunteered often at the American Legion in Alpharetta supporting Veterans and planting seasonal flowers for all to enjoy.
Gaye was a devoted mother who empowered her children every day with her guidance, love, and wisdom. She encouraged everyone she met to live life to the fullest and to always help others along the way. She never met a stranger and enjoyed meeting new friends as a frequent patron at Western Sizzlin', Elan, Brookwood Grille, Crust Pizza, Scratch, Chick-Fil-A, and Mimi's Nail Salon.
In addition to her parents, Gaye was preceded in death by her brother, Lieutenant Commander James (Jim) Boardman, whom she loved dearly.
Survivors include her son & daughter-in-law, Michael & Susan Taylor of Ponte Vedra, FL; daughter & son-in-law, Heather Taylor Koltes & Jason Koltes of Statham, GA; grandchildren, Kendall Isaacs, Christian Taylor, Brandon Koltes, Hunter Koltes, Parker Koltes & Carson Koltes, and three beautiful great grandchildren.
A funeral service is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. Friday, June 9th, 2023 at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, with visitation at 11:00am. Interment will follow in Arlington Memorial Park.
Those wishing may make donations to St Jude Children's Hospital.