Jeannette Patricia Jordan

Jeannette Patricia Jordan (Jean) was born February 22, 1927, and left us on February 22, 2025. Born in Bristol, England to parents Rhoda Amelia Rose White and Ernest Charles White, she passed away in Athens, Georgia.

Her childhood was spent exploring the moors in southern England, falling in love with books, afternoons filled with bike rides and enjoying the beauty of this world—a trait she never outgrew. Her early teen years were forged during WWII. Amidst black outs, air raids, landmines and rationing she learned the skills of resilience, strength, determination, kindness and serving the greater good.

At an officers' dance during the war, she met our father, William Kenneth Jordan. Ken would later say that he was fated to meet our mom that evening. On December 20, 1946, they were married in Torquay, Devon England. At only 19 years of age, she became an Army Officer's wife. Sailing to America on the QEII and registering at Ellis Island, she became a US citizen. She and Ken moved to Jackson, Mississippi where their first daughter, Laurel Jordan Genteman, was born. Their son, William Kenneth Jordan, junior was born in Frankfurt, Germany. Their third child, Karen Jordan Askins, was born in London, England.

All told, our parents moved 26 times during Ken's military career. They lived a long and happy life together, celebrating nearly 70 years of marriage.

In 1969, Ken accepted a position at the University of Georgia. This last move landed them in Athens, Georgia at what would be their forever home. In Athens, Jean forged lifelong friends. She belonged to the University Women's Club, the Embroiderer's Guild, Gourmet Lunch Group, Book Club, the Brit Club, the Athens Garden Club and countless charitable organizations. She served as a docent at the Georgia Museum of Art, volunteered at the State Botanical Garden, the Thrift House at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, the Athens Library and St. Mary's Hospital. Jean was a faithful member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church for over 50 years, serving on the Altar Guild. Jean started her own business, The Needleworks, in 1974. Always known for her talents in the needle arts, she pursued a wonderful career passing on this love to others. She taught regionally and on the national level. The kneeling benches that she helped craft through the Emmanuel Altar Guild are still in use today.

She is survived by her three children, her six grandchildren, Cory Genteman DeLamater (Dan DeLamater), Drew Christopher Genteman (Crystal Genteman), Keith Jordan Genteman (Sodonia Genteman), James Preston Jordan, Jordan Askins Lawrence (Christopher Lawrence), Devon Askins Hughes (Tristan Hughes) and her ten great-grandchildren, Amelia DeLamater Cross (John Mobley Cross), William Braden DeLamater, Trinity Genteman, Moriah Genteman, Elise Genteman, James Genteman, Elias Genteman, Mary Elle Lawrence, William David Hughes and Theodore Edward Lawrence.

A note from the children:

Trying to sum up what our mother means to our family is overwhelming. Mom's greatest gift to us is her legacy of a strong and loving family. With my father by her side, they demonstrated what family truly means. In doing so all of the children and older grandchildren have grown up to build strong families of their own. We know that her belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior enabled her to live out these principles, and we are thankful she is reunited with our Daddy in her heavenly home. Some of our favorite life lessons that we strive to live out and carry on: family above all earthly things, be kind and generous, persevere in the difficult times and be joyous in the good, choose your own path and find your purpose, be loyal, give others the benefit of the doubt, you're only as young as you act, keep changing as life changes, stay connected, never quit, nothing in excess but everything in moderation, look to the bright side, laugh often, count your blessings, learn something new, and look around to enjoy this beautiful world. Life is a gift, so be thankful.

Thank you, dear Mom, for giving us all the most wonderful life and now legacy. We love you forever.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 8, at 1:00 p.m., at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Inurnment will be in Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a gift in memory, please donate to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at https://botgarden.uga.edu/give/

Online condolences may be offered at www.BernsteinFuneralHome.com.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.