Mardelle Hopkins

Mardelle Gayle Hopkins, faithful Christian, devoted mother & grandmother, fun friend & interesting character conceded a three year battle with cancer, passing away quietly at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 in Park Manor hospital, The Woodlands. Born April 5, 1941, she died just shy of turning 71 years old. Daughter of Emmett and Addie Gayle who, along with Mardelle’s dear sister, Bea are deceased, Mardelle was born & raised in the house which still stands on Old Hockley Rd. in Magnolia. After graduating Magnolia High School class of ‘59, she moved to Austin to work as an aid at the state capitol before marrying James Hopkins, with whom she had three oft-bragged-about daughters and a son during the course of a seventeen year marriage. Mardelle is survived by daughters, Susan Hopkins Medsger & husband, Walter (League City), Sheryl Hopkins Crites & husband, Brian (San Antonio), & Kristen Hopkins Patterson & husband, Rick (San Antonio); son, James Edward ’Dude’ Hopkins & wife, Allison (Willis); grandchildren, Nicole Medsger Scott & husband, Derrick, Taylor & Jessica Medsger, Madison & Caleb Crites, Ashley Bruening, Alex & Sydney Patterson, & Joshua & Alex Hopkins; brother, James Roy Gayle (whom, as kids, she teasingly nicknamed & for life referred to as, ‘Tiny’) & wife, Virginia (Cleveland); sister, Earline Wathen (Deer Park); cousin, Celeste Graves (Magnolia); & numerous additional relatives, loving former relatives, & lifelong friends… Jean, Pam, Elinor, Anita, Sharon, Mary, Sadie Jo, to name a few. An aspiring gemologist, Mardelle’s favorite hobby was the study of natural & artificial stones & jewelry. She also enjoyed cooking, liked to sing, have long telephone conversations, & always, above all else, have the family together. Her demeanor, eye for fashion, manner of speaking, occasional naivety and natural good looks were reminiscent of a Southern Belle. She’ll be greatly missed though, as she loved to say, tomorrow is another day…. Mardelle Gayle Hopkins Saturday, March 24, 2012 Magnolia Funeral Home 811 S. Magnolia (FM 1774) ~ Magnolia, Texas Visitation: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Graveside Service: Noon ~ Magnolia Cemetery, N. 6th St., Magnolia Refreshments: 1:00 p.m.