Lambert "Whit" Whitfield Jordan Jr.

Lambert Whitfield "Whit" Jordan, Jr. was a man of quiet distinction, devoted husband, loving father, faithful Christian, and respected businessman whose life was defined by integrity, generosity, and an abiding care for those around him.

Whit was born on April 24, 1940, in Union, South Carolina, the son of Lambert Whitfield Jordan, Sr., and Grace McHardy Milford Jordan. Childhood illness tested him early, but it instilled in him a resilience and gratitude for life's blessings that never left him. He attended Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, where he was initiated into the Kappa Alpha Order and formed friendships that would last a lifetime. He later completed the Executive Management Program at Harvard Business School, a testament to his lifelong commitment to excellence.

After settling in Greenville, Whit acquired two packing machines from Meadors Candy Company in 1963 and established Dixie Packaging Company where he served as its owner and president for 45 years, earning the loyalty of his customers and the deep respect of his employees. When the decline of the Upstate apparel industry left his warehouses vacant, he met the challenge with characteristic ingenuity, converting the facilities into successful self-storage operations in 2009. It was a fitting example of the resourcefulness and quiet courage that marked everything he undertook.

While living in Greenville, Whit met Suzanne Smith of Norway, South Carolina, and they married in 1971. Together they raised their daughter, Louisa Jordan Morris, and celebrated the arrival of their grandson, Charles H. Morris III, who brought Whit immeasurable pride and joy. He welcomed his son-in-law, Charles Hill Morris, with warmth and genuine affection, embracing him fully as a member of the family.

Beyond his professional life, Whit was a man of refined and quietly passionate interests. He had a deep appreciation for beauty in all its forms; in the gardens he cultivated with care, in the architecture and interiors he admired with a discerning eye, and in the books he read with the sustained pleasure of a lifelong learner. He was always impeccably dressed, attentive to the finer details of life in a way that reflected his broader sensibility. He loved to travel, yet the mountains of western North Carolina held a particular claim on his heart, offering the natural beauty and serene pace he cherished most. He delighted in good conversation, and in the enduring friendships he cultivated with people from every walk of life.

Whit's faith was not incidental to his character; it was central to it. A devoted member of First Presbyterian Church, he served as an elder and then on the Foundation Board. He gave his time generously to the life of the congregation for many years. His commitment to community extended further still as he was a member of the First Leadership Greenville class established in 1975. He was also a longtime member of the Greenville Rotary Club, honored as a Paul Harris Fellow, and a proud member of The Saint Andrews Society.

In his final years, Whit faced Lewy Body Dementia with the same quiet grace he had brought to every other trial in his life, sustained by his faith, by devoted caregivers, and above all by the steadfast love of his wife, Suzanne.

Whit was predeceased by his parents, Lambert Whitfield Jordan, Sr., and Grace Milford Jordan of Union, South Carolina, and by his sister, Grace Jordan Howard of Atlanta, Georgia. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne; his brother, Dr. Charles Milford "Charlie" Jordan of Florence, South Carolina; his daughter, Louisa, her husband, Charles Hill Morris, and their son, Charles H. Morris III, of Savannah, Georgia; and by many beloved nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church Thursday, April 9th at 2:00 with visitation before the service at 1:00 in the original church receiving parlor.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to the First Presbyterian Church Foundation in Whit's memory.