JACKSONVILLE, Ark. — Mildred Marlene Hopper, 70, of Jacksonville, Ark., died Jan. 6, 2010, at Jacksonville, Ark. She had been in ill health since Christmas, but her death was not expected.

She was born April 3, 1940, in Oswego to Merle and Nadine (Lamb) George. She was a lifelong resident of Parsons until moving with her husband when his employment with the Union Pacific Railroad took her there in 1989.

She married Ralph Roy Hopper on Nov. 27, 1958, at Pleasant Hill Church in rural Parsons. He survives of the home in Jacksonville, Ark.

Mrs. Hopper was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Parsons.

Other survivors include a son, Kevin Hopper and his wife, Tina, and children Heather Hunter, Kevin Hopper Jr. and Christina Hopper, all of Jacksonville, Ark.; and two sisters, Charlene Bowman and Janice Thomasson and her husband, Lee, all of Coffeyville.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Nadine; her birth father, Merle George; and her stepfather, Ray L. Evans.

Mrs. Hopper was an avid gardener and had a passion for little children and roses. She had a massive collection of eagles and Elvis Presley memorabilia and adored her little dog, Cookie.

A memorial service was Jan. 9 at Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home in Jacksonville.

Condolences may be sent to Ralph Hopper, 1025 Richard, Jacksonville, Ark., 72076-2838.