Gerardine “Geri” Mayes Bowlin

Gerardine “Geri” Mayes Bowlin was born July 3, 1954, to her parents, R. B. Mayes and Louisa Gallagher Mayes, in Hearne, Texas. She was raised in the Catholic faith and was a lifelong Catholic. She grew up in Hearne, the second of four close-knit Mayes siblings, and graduated from Hearne High School.

Geri was married to her former spouse, Robert “Bobby” Box, with whom she had her two children, daughter, Jamie (Box) Wilson, and son, Robert “Kenny” Box. After her divorce, she met the love of her life when her brother Robert insisted his friend Steve Bowlin come meet his sister. Geri and Steve have been inseparable ever since. They were married on February 14, 1997. They have had many adventures through the years, moving for Steve’s job multiple times, weathering hurricanes on the coast, losing a house to Hurricane Ike, traveling on many vacations and RV trips with friends, and attending as many Houston Astro games as possible. Since Steve’s retirement last year, they have spent their time between their houses in Crystal Beach and Franklin. She loved entertaining friends and family at the beach house, and they often had a house full of people, especially around any holidays that could be celebrated. They spent a lot of time in Franklin watching her grandchildren participate in their various sports and activities. She loved having the grandkids over in the Fall and making s’mores out on the patio by the fire. After buying the house in Franklin, she started the tradition of hosting a Halloween party, inviting friends, her grandkids and their friends, and neighbors over on Halloween to enjoy food, candy and her many decorations. She was known for her love of decorating for any and every holiday, even the small ones, and also for her love of flamingos and all things beach related. Geri had a handful of lifelong friends that she made growing up in Hearne that she spent time with frequently. She treasured those friendships and loved spending time with them. She passed away unexpectedly on June 11, 2024, surrounded by her family.

Geri was preceded in death by her parents, brother Robert Bruce Mayes, and brother in law Raymond “Butch” Martine. She is survived by her husband, her daughter Jamie (Box) Wilson and spouse Jeff, son Kenny Box and spouse Cari, stepdaughters Michelle (Bowlin) Wood and spouse Eli, Monica (Bowlin) Mapes, grandchildren Joey Wilson, Jordyn Wilson, Jaxson Wilson, Ariel Wuesthoff, Elisha Wood, Joshua Wood, and Cherry Mapes, sister Kathie Martine, brother James Mayes and wife Tebbi.

There will be a visitation with a rosary immediately following on Friday, June 14, 2024, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home, 802 Market St., Hearne, TX 77859. The funeral will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 402 W. First St., Hearne, TX 77859. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hearne. If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, please do so in remembrance of Geri to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 402 W. First St., Hearne, TX 77859.

After the graveside we will have a time for a meal and to visit at Mary’s El Alamo, 206 W. 3rd St. in Hearne, for anyone that would like to join.