Geraldine T Akin

Gerry was born on May 21, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1952, her family moved to San Antonio, Texas, the city that would eventually become home again after a lifetime filled with family, friendships, faith, and adventures across the country.

Gerry married Willis “Bill” Akin Jr., in 1967 in Washington, D.C. At the time, Bill was serving in the United States Air Force, and Gerry was working for the FBI. Together, they built a life that took them to Maryland, Colorado, New Mexico, and throughout Texas, including McAllen, Harlingen, Beeville, and San Antonio. Wherever life took her, Gerry had a gift for putting down roots, becoming part of the community, and forming dear friendships that she treasured throughout her life.

Above all else, Gerry was devoted to her family. She was a loving wife and the proud mother of four children: Willis III, Michael, David, and Diana; eight grandchildren: Haley (31), Ashley (30), Hannah (26), Aldrin (9), London (7), Zidane (6), Collins (6), and Rider (5); and three great grandchildren: Alex (4), Henry (2), and Charlotte (1). She is also survived by her older sister and best friend, Mary Lou Oravits, and several nieces and nephews. She poured herself into raising her children and was a constant presence in their lives—active in their schools, activities, neighborhood gatherings, and civic events. She was the kind of mother who showed up, pitched in, volunteered, and made sure her family knew they were loved.

Her Catholic faith was at the center of Gerry’s life, and she generously gave her time and talents to the Church wherever her family lived. At St. Pius X Catholic Church in San Antonio, she served her parish in numerous roles, including as a Eucharistic Minister and Sacristan and through the Pastoral Council, annual Parish Festival, and Parish Council of Catholic Women. In recognition of her extraordinary service to the Church and her parish community, Gerry received the Lumen Gentium Award from the Archdiocese of San Antonio in 2019, an honor that reflected the faith she lived so fully through service to others.

Gerry also found great joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved being outdoors and possessed an enviable green thumb, most evident in her thriving vegetable gardens. When time permitted, she enjoyed oil painting and expressing her creativity on canvas.

And then there was Gerry’s kitchen.

She loved making homemade jams and was especially well known for her famous candied jalapeños, proudly labeled “Jamin’ with Gerry.” Her chocolate chip cookies were equally beloved and became one of those family traditions that could never quite be replicated by anyone else. For Gerry, these weren’t simply hobbies—they were another way of sharing a little happiness with the people around her.

Gerry treasured the many friends she made throughout her life and across all the places she called home. Those friendships meant the world to her, and she carried them with her regardless of the miles or years between them.

In keeping with Gerry’s wishes, those attending her service are asked to wear bright colors rather than traditional mourning attire. Gerry believed that going home to Heaven was a joyous occasion—one to be celebrated with faith, gratitude, love, and, fittingly, a little color.

Her family hopes everyone who knew and loved Gerry will honor her in that same spirit: remember the friendships, the gardens, the cookies, the jars of “Jamin’ with Gerry,” her devotion to her family, her unwavering faith, and the many ways she quietly served the people and communities around her.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Gerry’s memory to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Pius X Catholic Church or Wounded Warrior Project.

Gerry leaves behind a life beautifully lived, a family deeply loved, countless treasured friendships, and a legacy of faith and service.

And while she will be dearly missed here, Gerry would want those who loved her to remember that she wasn’t simply leaving—she was going home.