Garoldene (Gerri) was the third of four girls. From day one she was dressed in overalls and had a short, cropped haircut making her the “son” her father always wanted. This came to an abrupt end once puberty hit, and her beauty could no longer be hidden; very tired of being dressed like a boy- she bleached her hair the platinum blonde of the day. With her striking blue eyes, she was quite the “blonde bombshell”, as her husband loved to say.
She was known for her roller-skating abilities and her photos were posted at the Midland Roll Arena. This made her first job as a roller-skating car hop at the popular teen hang out The Dog and Suds a perfect fit. During this time, she met the love of her life, a “handsome rebel” named James Dill.
At 19 years old, after being denied permission to marry, she climbed out of her bedroom window and the two of them eloped to Florida. As all four sisters shared the same bed, it’s a safe bet she had some help. She and her sisters were very close, and whenever they were together, laughter to the point of tears was assured. Although they left Florida, they ended up in Tennessee getting married in a broom closet of a church with a thimble Jim sanded down into a wedding band.
Gerri’s love of laughter was shared with everyone. She was quite a practical joker. Every one of her children has endured the dreaded stop and go joke at some point in their lives. She would pull the car up to pick you up, then pull ahead a few feet just as you reached for the door. This was done in front of an audience of your peers while Mom and your siblings laughed their foul heads off.
As a grandmother and great grandmother, she loved to encourage imagination, and songs. Superhero capes looking a lot like bath towels were a staple.
Jim and Gerri credit their many years of marriage to making Jesus Christ the foundation of their lives together early on. This is a rich heritage that lives on in the lives of the entire family. The family Bible is full of personal accounts of answered prayer.
Gerri was preceded in death by her husband, James L. Dill; parents, Edward and Ruth (Tower) Steinwand; sisters, Virginia Kehrer and Lavon Stanoles; son, Keith Ira Dill.
She is survived by her daughter, Bambi Spink and husband Tim, and their children Katie O’Shaughnessey and husband Nathaniel, Tommy Spink and Tera, Cody Spink, and Willie Spink; son, James Dill and wife Candace, and their children Alicia Traylor and Clint, Angela Devlin and Seth, Johnathan Gibson and Matti, Kasey Dill and Cody, Kayla Lewis and Rickey, and Allison Frazier; daughter, Heidi Smith and husband Lee, and their children Colton Smith and fiancée Bailee Carter, Cade Smith and Macy Hart, Corde Smith and Autumn; her late son Keith Dill’s children, Ashley, Morgan, Winter, Keith Jr., Adam; sister, Bonnie Krutzer and Brian.
Cremation arrangements by Mullican Little Funeral Home.
You and Jim will be in our thought and prayers.
You guys had the best mom and family ever. Loved that woman.