Monell Jordan

Monell Jordan, age 91 passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2024. She was born on May 30, 1932 in Twila, Kentucky to the late Jacob and Wanda Franks. Monell is survived by daughters Michele (Tom) Erlenwein, Sharon (Mike) Beals, Grandchildren Scott (Danielle) Erlenwein, Jordan Beals (Jeff), Kelsey (Josh) McGee, and Great-Grandchildren Charlotte, Sophia, Jack McGee, Wesley Erlenwein. She is also survived by sister Patsy Franks-Mills, many nieces and nephews, and other dear family and friends. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, Robert R. Jordan. She is also preceded in death by parents Jacob and Wanda Franks, brothers and sisters Victoria Elizabeth, Helen Leora, Loyd David, Dalman, James Burton, Kathleen Jewell, Howard Chadwick, Garrett Donald, Arnold Creech, Virginia Ruth, and Shelby Jean.

Monell was born on May 30, 1932. She was a child of the depression, growing-up in the coal-mining town of Wallins Creek Kentucky when times were especially hard for a large family. Her Dad was a coal-miner who lost a leg in the coal mines. Her Mother worked day and night taking care of her family and making ends meet. Immediately after graduating from Wallins High School, Monell followed in her sister Kathleen’s footsteps and moved to Columbus Ohio where she became a telephone operator working for Ohio Bell Telephone Company. In Columbus she met and later married Robert (Bob) Jordan in 1955. They had two daughters, Michele and Sharon. Monell worked and retired from the F&R Lazarus Department Store where, according to her husband Bob - she actually paid them to work there (based on the number of shopping bags she regularly came home with). She loved shopping for her Grandkids, who were the best dressed as long as she worked for Lazarus.

Monell was a free spirit at heart. She was kind, patient, and selfless. She was honest, creative and funny - she loved to laugh. She was stubborn and strong-willed and she lived life her way. Her family was her world, and she loved every single one of them. She had an extra-special place in her heart for her Grandchildren, who have many happy memories of days spent at the lake with Grandma. When they were at Grandma’s, the house would be transformed from one end to the other to a tent city for them, and she would be having as much fun as they were. Many hours were spent fishing off the bank, swimming in the lake, catching bees in bottles - whatever it was she was in the middle of it and enjoying every minute. When she wasn’t spending time with her family she was taking care of her beautiful flowers. The bank in front of their home looked like a garden center. She had a green thumb! Frequently people would stop to comment on her flowers and to take pictures - she loved it!

Monell loved being outdoors and spoke often about her childhood in the mountains of Kentucky with all of her brothers and sisters. She talked about working in their garden, milking the cow, shucking corn, and canning food. It’s what made her who she was, and she never forgot it.

We will miss her dearly.