Life story
" It is with great sadness that the family of Jerilyn Eve Ficke-Epperson announce her passing at the age of 51, at her home in Fredericksburg, VA. Jerilyn was surrounded by her family and passed on May 7th, 2021 after a long and arduous battle with breast cancer. She will forever be lovingly remembered by all that knew her.
Jerilyn was born on March 11th, 1970 to Charles and Betty Ficke in Euclid, Ohio and immediately brought joy and laughter into the world. After graduating from Mentor High School, in Mentor, Ohio in 1988, she landed her first job as a Customer Service Representative for Waste Management for 7 years in Mesa, Az., but her true passion was in early childhood development, serving in multiple positions as Pre-Kindergarten Teacher at St. Mary’s School in Chardon, OH to Child Development for the Boys and Girls Club aboard Hanscom AFB, MA.
In 1995, she met Thomas “Mike” Epperson of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. From that sunny July 9th day when they met through mutual friends while tubing on the Salt River in Phoenix, Az, the two were inseparable. Mike and Jerilyn were married for over 25 years and had two beautiful children, Caitlen (23), Cailey (21) and nine rescued dogs.
Jerilyn was a fiercely dedicated mother to her children, raising both of them on the idea that you can accomplish great things if you put your mind, body, and soul into it. Family came first and was above all else to Jerilyn, a value she instilled in all those around her. The void left by her absence will be impossible to fill. Jerilyn excelled at being a mother to both Caitlen and Cailey. Whether that was waking up at 0400 in morning to drive 3 hours to a volleyball tournament or volunteering to participate in the girl’s extra-curricular activities all the way through college, Jerilyn was passionate and laser focused to make it her mission to improve the lives of her girls and ensure they had the foundation laid for a healthy and productive life.
As a hobby, Jerilyn was passionate for restoring or repurposing furniture, and when she was not filling her home with warmth and love, she could be found in the garage, or at the kitchen table, sanding and painting furniture for others to enjoy. We will miss her greatly, but not all of the clean-up from those projects. – just a little joke Jerilyn (mom). We love you!
Jerilyn was predeceased in death by Tylor Epperson(son), Charles Ficke (father), Jeff Ficke (brother), Shannon Eckliff (niece), Nikki (German Shepard), Buster (Beagle), Sandy (German Shepard), Amber (Cocker Spaniel), Shelby (unknown breed). She is survived by Thomas Epperson (husband), Caitlen Epperson (daughter), Cailey Epperson-Hannible (daughter), Calvin Hannible (son-in-law), Betty Ficke (mother), Jennifer Worful (sister), Bruce Worful (brother-in-law), Jeanine Jones (sister), Steve Jones (brother-in-law), Katie (Boston Terrier/Beagle), Diamond (Boston Terrier/Beagle), Oliver (Austrian Shepard/Beagle/Chihuahua) and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jerilyn’s name to any cancer research foundation or to a non-profit that directly supports those affected by cancer.
There will be a private celebration of life ceremony.
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