Ernest Joseph "Bodine" Boudwin

Ernest Joseph "Bodine" Boudwin, a lifelong Beaumont, Texas resident, passed away on August 14, 2023, in Mansfield, Texas, at Isle of Watercrest. Born on July 4, 1941, to Walter and Annie Mae Boudwin, he grew up in the South End neighborhood, where he grew up with his siblings and attended schools in their community. He graduated from Charlton Pollard High School in 1959.

Following graduation, he went to work for the historic Hotel Beaumont before being hired by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. He married Mary Ann Frank, and to their union, they had four children. In 1967 during the Vietnam War, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and trained at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He deployed to Pleiku, South Vietnam, with the 815th Engineer Battalion. He returned to Beaumont after service in the Army and resumed his employment at "Ma Bell." For the next 38 years, he worked in all facets of residential and commercial telephone service in Southeast Texas, retiring in 2002.

Well-known in his beloved South End neighborhood, he fondly recalled the days of the excitement of the Irving Street businesses and entertainment venues that occupied the area.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Annie Mae Boudwin, and his beloved grandmother, Daler Anderson.

Ernest is survived by his four children, Veronica Boudwin Cherry (Steven) of Arlington, Texas, Robert Boudwin (Mai) of Arlington, Texas, Leslie Boudwin (Lorna) of Willis, Texas, Wendy Boudwin Dunnington (Rodney) of Arlington, Texas, and their mother, Mary Ann Wheeler. Three grandchildren, Nicole Parker-Lehr (Steve) of Austin, Texas, Brittney Boudwin of Seattle, Washington, and Quinton Boudwin (Leila) of Los Angeles, California; his sister, Ruth Bassett and brother, Herbert Boudwin (Jo Harriet), both of Beaumont, Texas. He will live in our hearts and memories forever.

Diane Carmon was Ernest's companion for 30-plus years. Diane and her family, Curtis Watson, Clarence Carmon, Melissa Carmon, Keesha Broussard, Keith Broussard, Kevon Broussard, and Tunisha Strong and extended family were a special part of his life, and they will miss him greatly.

He was loved by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, especially Joe Segura of Beaumont, along with Willie Holman and Otis Pettis, who preceded him in death.

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**The Family is asking that if you are attending any of the services or the repast 

that you please wear a mask due to the uptick of COVID-19.

Thank you.