On February 22, 2024, mother was ushered into the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We feel certain that He met her with a Heavenly Margarita upon her arrival.

Mother was born in Texas City, TX on July 9, 1929, to Garvin and Lola Aker, the first of three children. At the age of sixteen, she married the love of her life, Charley Edgar Boatman. In 1949, they were blessed with their first daughter, Gwendolyn Ann. In quick succession, followed daughters #2 Sherry Lee and #3,  Deborah Lynn. She was a stay-at-home mother who never slowed down between keeping a spotless house, doing yardwork, and earning extra money as a hairdresser.  Mother was always involved with her daughters and their friends throughout their school years. She loved having a house full of giggly, funny, and bright girls – day and night. She had a special affinity for the LMHS class of 1970, not only because Sherry and Debbie graduated that same year, but she just loved the kids from that class!! She even attended their 10^th year class reunion. Several of them called her “Mom.”

Mother was a life-long member of Paul’s Union Church in LaMarque, TX. While raising her girls, she worked diligently teaching Vacation Bible School, Sunday School and was the Benevolence Chairperson for the church. For the past couple of years, she attended First Baptist Church Texas City.

In 1971, Charley and Dolores built a mom-and-pop grocery store in Santa Fe that they named Rush-N-Gro as it sat next to Rush Road. This became Dolores’ home away from home.  They built a home on 7 acres, not far from the store.  She loved working in her store, meeting new people every day and becoming an icon for her friendliness and compassion for people.  And if that was not enough, she had a vegetable garden, raised goats, and kept a meticulous yard with beautiful flowers.

Dolores was named the Executive Director of the Galveston County Retail Grocers Association and she excelled at this job over her own objections of never being “smart” enough to do so. Mother specifically told us I was to give a big “Shout Out” to all her grocer friends wherever they may be!!

If you happened to meet Dolores anywhere, it became exceedingly obvious, much to her daughter’s chagrin, that she felt her most important achievement was raising her “Beautiful, Talented and Perfect girls.” She would shake an extended hand and keep people captive by never letting go.  She never met a stranger, and strangers were attracted to her and called her “beautiful” up until the week she passed.  She showed kindness and love and always asked, “Why can’t people just be kind?”

In the past couple of years, she attended First Baptist Church Texas City where she made many wonderful friends and loved Patsy’s Sunday School class. Mostly, though, she loved seeing all the little tots running around having a fun time.

Dolores was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Charley Boatman; her father and mother, Garvin, and Lola Aker; her brother, Duncan Danforth Aker; her sister, Peggy Sue Townsend; brother-in-law, Herbert Townsend; her granddaughter, Wendy Lynn Elfstrom-Bardwell and her nephew, Duane Eugene Townsend.

She is survived by her three daughters and their spouses: Gwendolyn Ann Boatman (Susan Dastic); Sherry Lee Simon (Glenn); Debbie Elfstrom (Ray).

Grandchildren:  Todd Elfstrom, Laura Simon (Kalani), Gina Elfstrom-DeLaCerda (Richie), Christi Elfstrom-Nguyen (Quyen), Michael Simon, Dawson Boatman-Dastic

Great Grandchildren: Kaylyn Bardwell, Lauren Bardwell-Tomski (JJ); Sean, Ashley, and Tyler Elfstrom; Trevor, Chandler, and Mariah Pickett

Great-Great Grandchildren:  Samantha Corpuz, Konnor Fee, Freya, Aviana, and Gideon Ogenio; Landon Maddux and David Tomski

Dolores was extremely fond of her nieces Theresa Dock, Vicki Morse, and their families. They both visited her regularly and they never left her memory.  She was also especially fond of great-great granddaughter, Samantha Corpuz, who waited on her, checked on her and dearly loved her.

The family would like to thank NorthStar Hospice (Tiva Thomas) for providing such caring and compassionate nurses, Suzanne, and Ariel.  We would also like to thank Tallwood Equipment/Medical Supplies for providing the necessary equipment.

Dolores was forever a people magnet. She loved life to the fullest and loved everyone she knew or met.  In return, she was loved to the fullest by all.

It is quite apparent that Dolores always “Bloomed where she planted.”

Services will be Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 10am at James Crowder Funeral Home in La Marque with burial following at the Galveston Memorial Cemetery in Hitchcock. There will be a visitation March 8, 2024, from 5pm-7pm, also at James Crowder Funeral Home in La Marque, TX.  Officiating will be Doug McBrayer and Pierce Eaton.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons:  Todd Elfstrom, Michael Simon, and her great-grandsons: Sean Elfstrom, Trevor Pickett, Tyler Elfstrom and Chandler Pickett.

Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church Texas City, attn KL, 10000 EF Lowry Expwy, Texas City, TX  77591 or to the charity of your choice.