By Loretta Fulton

Amy Boone doesn’t see herself as an activist, but rather someone who is moved to action by injustice. 

Those actions might include showing up in person at a rally or event or a Facebook post. Most recently, she spearheaded the placement of a marker noting the site where Grover C. Everett was murdered by members of the Ku Klux Klan on Sept. 9, 1922. He was in town to do road construction and was staying at the Joe Davis Hotel “for negros,” 341 Ash St., when he was shot to death. The marker was placed across the street on Saturday, June 20, as part of the weekend’s Juneteenth observance. 

“At the beginning of 2025, I became increasingly concerned about the widespread erasure of history happening across the country,” Amy said in her remarks at the ceremony.

Rather than just being concerned, Amy was moved to action. She got busy gathering a coalition of Abilene citizens and contacting the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama. The EJI sponsors a Community Remembrance Project, and in 2019 hosted a soil collecting ceremony on the actual site of the murder. 

Two one-gallon jars of soil were gathered. One is on display at the Curtis House Cultural Center, 630 W.N. Washington St., and the other was taken to the EJI museum by a McMurry University sociology class. The June 20 observance was the culmination of efforts to gather soil in the jars and to get a marker installed.

“This marker is now a reality,” Amy said at the installation ceremony.

Amy Boone

BIO 
Current Position: Teaching and Learning Specialist at ACU
Family: Married to Grant, 3 adult children (Andrew, Nick, Anna Claire), 2 grandchildren
Where you were born: Missouri
Where you grew up: Conway, Arkansas, and Abilene
Community involvement: Elder at Highland Church of Christ, CASA volunteer, NCCIL board member

Q You are well known in Abilene for your activism, whether in person on through Facebook. At what age did you first get involved? What was the incident that sparked you to react?
A Maybe strangely, I don’t see myself as an activist. I simply see myself as someone who is moved to action by injustice. I suppose if that is an activist, then I am, but it’s truly just the way I’m wired. I’ve found the enneagram helpful as a lens with which to see my own motivations through and those of others. I am a “social enneagram 8.” The social 8 is described as “leads from the heart– with loyalty, grit, and a deep sense of justice. They’re the ones who step up when no one else will, fighting for the underdog and protecting their people like a human shield. They lead not for power’s sake, but to make sure no one gets left behind.” In other words, this is who I’ve always been!

Q How big a role does your faith play in your response to injustices?
A I regularly say that my passion to fight injustice is from a place of faith. It’s not a socially appropriate thing for me to do, but rather, it’s from a place of believing that every human being is made in the image of God and when image-bearers are suffering, being mistreated, and harmed, my faith in Jesus leads me to do what I can to bring peace, hope, and justice to that situation.

Q Did you encourage your children to follow your path when they were growing up or did you let them find their own way?
A My family is supportive of who I am and I regularly hope and pray my children and grandchildren will see God’s image in those they encounter and that this recognition will also compel them to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly” with God. 

The Boone Family on vacation in October 2025

Q What kind of feedback do you get from your friends, family, co-workers, and other associates?
A I have great friends and colleagues. They affirm my gifts and strengths. It is a gift to be surrounded by such wonderful humans!

Q One of your latest endeavors was getting a marker to note the site of the killing of a Black man in Abilene in 1922 by “masked and robed” White men. How did you get involved with that project?
A Click here to read excerpts from “It’s Everything West Texas” podcast as published in Floyd Miller’s West Texas Tribune. 

Amy with the Grover C. Everett marker on Saturday, June 20.

Q Anything else you wish to add:
A Here are the remarks I made and the text of the marker.

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene