Nannie Mae Jordan's Obituary
The benevolent earthly life of Nannie Mae Jordan ended on Tuesday, April 13, 2010. A woman full of energy, passion, love, optimism, and integrity, she earned the respect of those whose lives she touched and was an inspiration to many. She was well known throughout Kannapolis and the surrounding areas for her letters, cards, phone calls, visits to the infirm, "love gifts," and words of encouragement and inspiration. Every year her hands transformed her yard into hundreds of blooming flowers. Her bouquets enlivened many weary spirits.
Her father gave her a love of music; her mother, a love of people. She shared both gifts with all those who entered her life and she embraced all who would let her. For some she worked magic.
She began teaching Sunday School at 18 years of age and continued teaching into her mid-eighties. She spent hours every week researching her lessons; if need be, she would call higher educated people to find her answers.
She was involved in the music ministry of the church, including singing in a trio with her sisters and in the choir, from her teen years into her eighties. In her sixties she began art lessons and continued to paint periodically to age 87.
During difficult times and declining health in the latter years, numerous friends and family members gave their time and energy in support of Nannie Mae and her children. Space limits the family extending their thanks to all but a few: Robert (Bud) Kiser, Bernice Hardin, Eula Mae Wyatt, Joe Hatley, Carolyn Narron, Bobby and Mel and Marie Bost, Wanda Bost Green, Jill and Jeff Short, Carol and David Cline, Josie Anderson, Mary Adams, Steve Ferguson, Tammy and Mike Isenhour, Brandon Cook, Betty Varner and Ron Bushey.
She is remembered by many for her warm smile, the twinkle in her eyes and her gracious, compassionate manner. To paraphrase Thomas Brown, she came to be almost half herself and left a great part behind her which she carried not to the grave. May her life and memory be for a blessing.
Nannie Mae was born September 13, 1918, educated in the Kannapolis Schools. She was a Reading Tutor for fifteen and one-half years at Aycock Elementary School in Kannapolis, after being in business with her late husband, Leonard Jordan, at Jordan's Fruit and Produce Market on South Cannon Boulevard. For more than seventy years, as a member of the Kannapolis Church of God, she taught the adult Queen Esther class for thirty-five years. Monthly she taught as Community Bible Study Teacher at her church. Prior to that she taught at Elm Street Church of God college and high school Sunday School classes, also the twelve year olds and children. For decades she was active in the Music ministry of the church. Prior employment included Cannon Mills employee for ten years and Belk Department Store employee for ten years. A resident at Morningside of Concord Assisted Living for more than three years, she shared her life with the loving, caring and professional Administrative Staff and Employees, along with excellent support from Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County.
She is survived by three children: Judy Jordan, M.D. of San Antonio, Texas, Mendall Jordan, M.D. of Raleigh, North Carolina and Joyce Carter of Phoenix, Arizona. Two sons-in-law include James Thomas, M.D. and the late Joey Carter, M.D.
Three grandchildren include author Marshele Carter Waddell of Colorado, CPA Carrie Jordan Freeman of Raleigh and Tom Jordan of Raleigh. Other family members include Navy SEAL Commander (Ret.) Mark Waddell and Jeff Freeman.
Five Great-grandchildren include 2nd Lt. (Marine) Joshua Carter Waddell of California, Jordan Mae Waddell of Arizona, Jenna Lynn Waddell of Colorado and Ella Freeman and Isaac Freeman of Raleigh, North Carolina.
She is survived by two sisters, Bernice Hardin of Kannapolis and Lennie Chapman of Tennessee and one brother, Reverend Charles Tilley of Gastonia. She was a sister to the late Delton Tilley and the late Doris Tilley of Kannapolis and the late Mary Lou Watts of Oregon.
She was preceded in death by husbands Leonard Jordan and Grant Bost.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 17, 2010, at Kannapolis Church of God. The Rev. Sam Crisp, Dr. Bill Sheeks and the Rev. Ron Bushey will officiate. Those wishing to share a special remembrance of Nannie Mae will be given an opportunity during the service. Entombment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Lady's Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made at [email protected] .
In lieu of flowers, you may want to give gifts in her honor, suggestions:
Mission Department, Church of God World Missions, Aboud School Project #0400003, P.O. Box 2430, Cleveland, TN 37311
Kannapolis Church of God Music Department, 2211 West A Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081
Kannapolis Bible Teaching Association, P.O. Box 987, Kannapolis, NC 28082-0987
Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081
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