MRS. LEONA TATE JORDAN

A legacy of Christian love and service are the gifts Mrs. Leona Tate Jordan left her family, friends, and all whose lives she touched.  Mrs. Jordan was born 101 years ago in Carthage, Mississippi and was raised on the family farm by her parents, Gertrude Tate and Lamar Gray.  She accepted Christ at an early age and was in Christian fellowship at the Pilgrim Rest M. B. Church in Carthage.  She received her formal education at the Piney Woods School where she graduated high school and college under the guidance of the school's founder, the late Dr. Laurence C. Jones.

After completing her studies she met and married a young man from Greenville, Lawrence J. Jordan, Jr., and joined Mercy Seat M.B. Church.  Their marriage was one of love and respect.  They supported each other and worked together in all aspects of married life.  Mrs. Jordan supported him while he studied at seminary as he had been called to the ministry.  As Rev. Jordan started his ministry she partnered with him and supported him all the while their family was growing to include eight children.  A loving, nurturing home with Christian values was provided for the children who all became responsible adults, active in the church and the community.   Rev. and Mrs. Jordan taught the children to live by Proverbs 3:6 (KJV): " In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

As a Pastor's wife Mrs. Jordan embraced her duties with vigor and grace.  She made everyone she met feel "at home" by treating each person with dignity and respect.   In turn she was  loved and respected by all.  As First Lady of the  First Baptist Church of Mound Bayou she supported Rev. Jordan, the church leadership, and members as they rebuilt the historic church, helping to ensure that the church provided continued support to members and the community.

Mrs. Jordan was a proponent of everyone having access to a good education.  Not only did she attend Sunday School and Bible School she taught at these schools for many years and often served in a leadership capacity.  She was active in ensuring that each of her children received the best possible education in Greenville's public schools.  Mrs. Jordan supplemented their education and the education of others by providing reading, writing and typing (word processing) lessons.  Many of her students were successful in getting their first paying jobs because of the skills she taught them.  Mrs. Jordan also worked for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service for several years.

She has joined her parents, husband, sisters, and her son James in Heaven. She leaves her children, Lawrence J. Jordan, III, Coela Jordan Clark, Bessie Jordan-Byrd, Mollena Jordan Martinez, Leona Jordan Huddleston, Jan Jordan Vaughn, Lauretta Jordan Wilson, and a host of cousins, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, as well as a great great grandchild to rejoice in her homegoing.

Mrs. Jordan's legacy of love and service will live on.  Her family is honored that she gifted us -- and all whose lives she touched -- with the bright lights of her love and talent.  In this life Mrs. Jordan honored God through living by Matthew 5:16:  She "let her light shine before others, that they may see (her) good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven."