Marileon Jerden

Marileon Hopkins Jerden was called home and passed away peacefully on June 23, 2026, at the age of 88, surrounded by her family. She was born on April 5, 1938, in Texarkana, Arkansas, to Leon E. and Elizabeth Hopkins. She graduated from Arkansas High School in Texarkana in 1956 and earned a bachelor’s degree in Fashion and Textiles from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. Her dream was to work in the fashion industry in Paris. Although she never made it to Paris, she met Danny Jerden in Dallas, and they married in 1962. They shared 47 years together until his passing on April 9, 2009. They lived in Dallas until 1973, then moved west to Lubbock, where she remained until 2015. Marileon worked for the Lubbock Independent School District for 41 years as a teacher aide, library clerk, and early childhood teacher. She is survived by her two sons and their spouses, Brian and Ginger Jerden of Franklin, Tennessee, and Steve and Robin Jerden of Midland, Texas; three grandchildren and their spouses, Daniel Jerden, Dylan and Katelyn Jerden, and Kaitlin and Matthew Zinzilieta; and one great-grandchild on the way, Mason Zinzilieta. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Debbie Hopkins of Texarkana, Arkansas; her sister, Jane Sefcik of Denton, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. We are grateful for our mother’s long life and thankful that she is reunited with our father in heaven. The family extends a special thank-you to Angels Care Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to Angels Care Hospice in Midland, Texas.