Jerlyn Leigh Mardis, longtime lecturer at Rice University in Houston, Texas, passed away on November 24. She was 74 years old.
Mardis was a lecturer at Rice University for nearly four decades. Throughout her 36-year-long tenure, she taught courses in the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing, the program in writing and communication, the Weiss School of Natural Sciences, and the Jones Graduate School of Business. Additionally, she helped to develop coursework at other institutions, including the University of Houston and the Texas A&M University School of Law. Outside of academia, she was the owner of Mardis & Associates, a communications and education consulting firm.
Mardis was a two-time alumna of Rice University.
Jer, you were an achiever and an overachiever. My memories of you include your walking down Hillcroft in the rain in west Houston to get to Lee High School on time. Your English teacher said: “YOU’RE SMART, YOU NEED TO GO TO RICE, JER!”
The prophecy would be completed in a short span of two/three years. Our single-parent Mom moved near Rice Village to make the commute for Jer easy… I would go on my bike at night to study at the university library. As a historical note, Dr. DeBakey also rode his bike at night for exercise on Rice campus. We were “Hi, how are ya?” buddies.
Jer, we will miss you!
Love Bo, your Bro
I will still appreciate the silver hard drive she gave us as kids
Justin Mardis
U WILL B MISSED.