Geraldine Elizabeth Hawthorne

Geraldine Elizabeth Hawthorne

August 15th, 1950 - September 16th, 2022

Lompoc, CA

Geraldine Hawthorne refused to dress like an old lady. She would never stoop so low as to leave the house without her hair and makeup done. She didn't care about name brands--just how good she looked. Geri would always get her nails done in bright colors: bright pink was her go-to, but neon blue was never off the table. Looking back on her life, one of the biggest regrets she held was not drawing-in her eyebrows sooner: "Why did nobody tell me I didn't have eyebrows?!"

Geri spent a lot of time in church. She performed the usual duties of a faithful believer of Christ--prayer, Bible reading, letting the Lord guide her decisions, and loving others. She also supported the church in various leadership roles—singing in the choir, leading Sunday school, and working in the nursery. But what sticks out the most in our collective mind is that our grandmother always brought and shared candy at church. On a typical Sunday morning, if you heard the distracting sound of crinkly plastic wrappers being undone, or if you saw an elderly lady coyly passing goodies between the pews to smiling recipients, you would have known Ms. Geri. She routinely dropped chocolates in the offering basket "so that the deacons could have a treat." Once, a Life-Saver mint she was unwrapping saw its chance for redemption, flew from her hand, and rolled the full length of the sanctuary aisle right up to the pastor. Apparently the preaching was that good.

Geri aserved the community around her in a professional capacity as well. She spent over 25 years on the Lompoc and Chowchilla Police Departments. In her roles as both an officer and eventually a police dispatcher, she further developed her senses of vigilance, protection, and justice that would prepare her for the challenges ahead. That said, Geri was a prankster at heart. During her time on the force, she once hooked up the horn of a squad car to its braking system so that every time the brakes were pressed, the horn would go off. To be around her was to have a good time.

Geri was talented and strong. During her teen years, this bravery manifested itself as illegal street racing, and while no pink slips were ever won, she only crashed her father’s car once or twice. What a gal!

Graduating from this phase, she possessed a finesse and grace that went on win horse shows, while ever retaining the grit to compete in barrel races. She was a great shot, and loved the outdoors. Countless stories begin with her adventures in the wild. She hunted, was on the skeet shooting team, and even won a shooting bet against the weapons instructor during her time at the Police Academy. If you told her she couldn’t do something, our grandmother would have a holy passion to prove you wrong.

Of the many hats she wore, her most meaningful role was that of a patient mother and guiding grandmother. She ultimately shifted roles in the police force, from officer to dispatcher, at her son's request. He wanted her to take less risks so that she would be around to meet her grandchildren. Little did she know that one day soon she would become the greatest shaping force in their lives.

She often told others that her primary goal was to raise her granddaughters well. She put her heart and soul into those three girls. Grace, strength, and a whole lotta spunk were the result of her efforts. We cannot thank her enough for all the hours spent, and we will live our lives guided by the example she set for us in Christ.

On the very day that her youngest granddaughter was set to move out, Geraldine Hawthorne was called forever home. Her greatest friend Jesus wanted her, and her mission was complete. To her final day, she had been a faithful servant.

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We cannot wait until the reunion up above.

Your girls, forever and always,

Sky, Brandy, and Kaylee