Gladys Lee Jordan

Gladys began her earthly journey some 90 years ago on December 30, 1929 in Knoxville, Tennessee to parents of Ora Stephenson and Joseph Gibson. She transcended to the celestial shores the morning of June 29, 2020. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Jordan Jr., a son Ronald N. Jordan, and a grandson.

She loved God, her family, her church, her sorority- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Gladys’s mother died when she was six weeks old. So, she spent her earlier years in Knoxville with her father’s family, the Gibson’s. She was brought to Arkansas by her grandfather, Richard Stephenson. She lived with her aunt and uncle, Emma and Coy Young. She graduated from North Little Rock High School while living with her aunt Sadie Smith. While in high school, she met and married Joseph Jordan Jr. To this union, 5 boys were born.

At an early age, Gladys developed an interest in nursing. It was a time when blacks were not admitted or accepted into the nursing profession. Minorities could only be nurse’s aides. However, she had the honor of being trained by the St. Vincent Nuns.

Gladys continued her pursuit to become a nurse. She earned her BS Degree from Philander Smith College and her advance degree in Hospital Administration from The College of Saint Francis in Joliet, Illinois. She was a surgical nurse at St. Vincent and later would work with the VA System for over 35 years. While with the VA, she was a supervisor, head nurse, charge nurse and an EEOC counselor. She received a Certification of Graduation from ADHHS, Division of Aging and Adult Services. Gladys nursing career expanded over 60 years. So honored to be a nurse, she maintained her active nursing license until death. She, also was a board member, and a supporter of Friends of Haven of Rest Cemetery until her death.

Gladys would tell you none of this would have been possible without the helped of her family, especially her mother–in-law, Leola Wilson Jordan, her sisters-in-law, Emma Robinson and Loraine Moore, as well as her aunt Sadie Smith, and grandfather Richard Stephenson Jr.

Gladys had such an outgoing personality that reflected her warm and caring spirit. She was always willing to give help to everybody. She developed many life-long friendships, especially with her family, the Stephenson’s, the Thompson’s, the Mitchell’s the Harris’, the Dancy’s, the Hartmeier’s, a life-long friend DeAnn Murray and too many others to name in her church and community. In her Church, Gladys served in many capacities including developing the Nurses Guild and being a Deaconess.

Gladys and Joe were big supporters of Scouting. She was a den mother and Joe had his own troop.

When Ronald was given a scholarship in music to the University of Arkansas, Gladys became a staunch supporter of the Razorback Foundation. She and Joe followed the Razorbacks EVERYWHERE, even to Hawaii.

She is survived by her four sons; Charles E. Jordan, Barnett (Beverly) Jordan, Joseph III (Cynthia) Jordan and Phillip G. Jordan, a very dedicated, committed caregiver for his mother until her death; 7 grandchildren; Darrick Jordan, Audrey Jasper, Phillip A. Jordan, Anitra Rivera, D’Juana McDonald, and Barnett Jordan Jr. Gladys also had 11 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren.

Gladys will be missed by everyone that knew and loved her.

Viewing will be held on July 7, 2020 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Eighth Street Baptist Church, 901 SA Jones Drive A, North Little Rock; with friends and family welcome. Private funeral services will follow. Burial will take place in Haven of Rest Cemetery, Little Rock. Services can be viewed Via Facebook at: Eight Street Missionary Baptist Church. Gladys family suggest in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Nurses Guild of Eighth Street Baptist church at the address above. Funeral services will be livestreamed on the funeral homes Facebook page; and can be viewed by clicking the link below this obituary.