Marilyn Jerding

July 2, 1936 ~ February 20, 2022
Born in:
Washington, D.C.
Resided in:
Stone Mountain, Georgia
Marilyn Roberts Jerding (1936-2022) passed away peacefully on February 20, 2022 in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Marilyn will be remembered for her kind heart and generous time spent with family, friends, and serving others. Her love for her family and commitment as a wife, a mother of two boys, and a grandmother of three were unwavering. She was a friend to so many, everyone she came in contact with mattered to her. Marilyn volunteered and made an impact at churches, community associations, in the Navy service organizations, her sorority, garden clubs, the list goes on….
Most recently Marilyn and Fred, her husband of 61 years, lived in Park Springs, a retirement community in Atlanta, GA. She enjoyed so very much having her son, Dean and his wife Marcia visit–but mostly having her three grandkids come over was the highlight, as well as the two “grand-pups”–all who live in Atlanta. What an impact it was on the grandchildren to have her around as they grew up! During this “retirement” phase of her life, Marilyn created great bonds of caring and friendship, and she enjoyed other activities at Park Springs such as being on the food & beverage committee.
Marilyn is the daughter of Ralph Standish Roberts and Freda Linnebach Roberts, born in Washington, DC on July 2, 1936. Marilyn graduated from Woodrow Wilson H.S. in 1954. She attended the Pennsylvania State University and graduated with a B.S. degree in Food Service Management & Nutrition. Marilyn was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, and she continued to actively support the sorority as an alumnus. After Penn State she attended Mills College in Oakland, CA for an internship and Masters degree in Dietetics. She became a Registered Dietician in 1959.
While working for Mills College she met her future husband Frederick Jerding (Capt. – U.S. Navy – Retired) who had returned home to Oakland in his final year of attending the U.S. Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1960. They married in June 1961 in Hayward, CA.
Marilyn served as a “Navy wife” during the 26 years of Fred’s service to our country. She volunteered with Navy Relief, served on the Navy Officers Wives Club, the Submarine Officers Wives Club, and the Navy League. As an XO and CO wife, she counseled other wives on the subs, and planned and led activities for all crew wives while the men were at sea. Friendships that she built have lasted her lifetime and she has so much love for her Navy friends.
While Fred was away on submarines at sea Marilyn raised their two boys, Dean (1970) and Grant (1972). They became a huge focus of her life and she was an amazing mother, as she ensured their academic success, shuttled them to sports and other activities, and of course she volunteered regularly at their schools and boy scout troop.
Marilyn and Fred attended St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Springfield, VA, for 26 years. Marilyn became fast friends with a group of ladies dubbed the “Raisins” after a costume performance at a church event. They too are life-long friends. Continuing her volunteer and service, Marilyn led a Church Neighborhood Group, served on the Episcopal Church Women, and chaired the Church Boutique Kitchen Baked Goods committee.
Marilyn is survived by her husband, Frederick Jerding, brother Ralph Roberts Jr. (JoAnn – California) and son Dean Jerding (Marcia – Georgia) and three grandchildren Carson, Lexi and Lainey (Georgia). Her other son Grant Jerding (Christy – Virginia) preceded her in death.
In lieu of flowers, Marilyn requested donations be made to the Arthritis Foundation or to a local church of choosing.
Marilyn Jerding Celebration of Life Live Stream from We Stream Services 2 on Vimeo.
Services
Celebration of Life: March 27, 2022 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Wages & Sons Stone Mountain Chapel
1040 Main Street
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
770-469-9811
Fred and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I loved our neighbors in Virginia. Marilyn will always have a special place in my heart. Please accept my sincere sympathy.