Jane (Beale) Jordan

Jane was born on October 14, 1947, in Yazoo City, MS, the youngest of two daughters, to Marjorie and James Beale. Jane is survived by her husband of 48 years, Read Jordan; her sister Marsha Beale Staley of Houston, TX; her daughter Cary (Allen) Campbell; her son Jeff (Dominique) Jordan; and her six grandchildren- Jackson and Riley Campbell, and Jeffrey, Wells, Henry, and Caroline Jordan.

Jane grew up with beloved “sister-cousins” in Yazoo City, attending Yazoo City schools. In high school, she was the editor of the “Mingo Chito,” the school yearbook, fulfilling this role with her characteristic attention to detail and competence. Her high school class continued to hold a special place in her life throughout adulthood; one of her classmates recently told Jeff that Jane was the smartest girl in their class! The Beale family attended the First Methodist Church of Yazoo City where her father, “Daddy Jim,” was a deacon and was known for greeting and knowing everyone. After high school, Jane first attended Millsaps College and then Mississippi State University; she pledged Phi Mu and received her BA in education. In her classes at State, Jane was so good at typing and shorthand that her professors asked to buy her notes from her! After graduating and teaching for a year, Jane moved back to Starkville to earn her Masters in business education. At this point, she met Howell Read Jordan of Henning, TN, while at MSU together.

The couple got married on July 20, 1974, and farmed in Tennessee their first year of marriage. After enough anecdotes to last Jane the rest of her life, they moved to Austin, TX, for Read to work in other aspects of agriculture and where their daughter, Cary Beale Jordan, was born. Shortly after, Read and Jane moved back to Mississippi, eventually to Madison in 1978 where Jeffrey Read Jordan was born and where they settled and raised their family.

Jane taught computer at Madison Ridgeland Academy (MRA) for over 20 years and counted her coworkers and students as family. She pioneered many aspects of the typing and computer curriculum at MRA, and she grew and developed with the subject as the technology advanced. She was deeply invested in her students, serving additionally as the Senior Class Sponsor.

Jane was an active member of Madison Methodist Church and counted it a dear privilege to sing in the choir, especially at Christmastime. She loved hymns and was still singing or humming “Amazing Grace” during her last days. A Bible verse that she asked to be read at her funeral is John 11:25-26, “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’”

This verse echoes the reality of our experience this week, mourning Jane’s loss while at the same time rejoicing and looking to the hope of Easter Sunday.

Jane loved her friends in her bunco gatherings and her years in Junior Auxiliary. She was devoted to taking family photos and keeping photo albums! She was an avid seamstress whose talents rivaled professional needlework and sewing. She also enjoyed gardening and her indoor plants. She loved watching Mississippi State sports and cheering on the Bulldogs. She shared these passions with her grandchildren and wanted her family to gather and spend time together as often as possible, especially if Read was grilling or if there was birthday cake! In her later years as the sickness progressed, Jane spent time at home and added more outdoor amenities to enjoy her flowers and yard. Read and Jane’s love and devotion is reflected in their two children’s loyalty and servant heartedness. Although Jane’s death feels too soon, the products of her life - Read, Cary, and Jeff - point to one of the most successful lives imaginable.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 13 from 5:00-7:00pm at Parkway Funeral Home, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS. There will be a second Visitation on Thursday, April 14 at Madison Methodist Church at 1:00pm before the Funeral Service at 2:00pm; Madison Methodist Church, 100 Post Oak Road, Madison. Graveside Service to follow at Parkway Memorial Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Rock Steady, a Parkinson’s boxing physical therapy program at First Baptist Church (431 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39201), or RUF at Mississippi College (www.givetoRUF.org), or Madison United Methodist Church.