Billie Connell Jordan

Billie was a lifelong Austinite, born at home on Avenue F. in Austin, Texas on December 12, 1924 and passed away February 4, 2024 at the age of 99 years and 1 month at Brookdale Senior Living. Her parents were Sampson Connell IV and Bernice Mabel Roberts. She attended school at John T. Allen Elementary (1930 to 1937), Baker Junior High (1937-1940), and graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School on January 23, 1942 at 17 yrs. of age. She was a bright student and won many Spelling Bee contests while in grammar school. During her early youth, Billie spent many an hour roller skating and riding the streetcar along the friendly, streets of Austin. Her first job was as bank teller at Austin National Bank in 1942, once women were allowed to work as bank tellers due to the shortage of men. World War II had begun on December 7, 1941, and many young boys and older men were being called up to serve the ongoing war efforts. Her job at the bank led to her interest in bookkeeping (accounting), which she worked in for thirty years (1960-1991) helping to support the family income while raising 6 children.

Billie was a devout Christian from age of 12 years after her baptism at East Avenue Baptist Church. During her young Christian life, she spent many a Sunday attending services with her cousins roaming the grounds at Union Hall Baptist Church in Liberty Hill. Once married she started life in Austin’s Crestview neighborhood in 1953 and joined the Crestview Baptist church, where she had been a member for over 70 years.

While working in Georgetown, Texas she met Colon Earl Jordan “Tate” and after they were married in Gatesville, Texas the new family moved to Austin and followed his new career at the Austin Police Department. She once was the President of Austin Police Wives Association in the 60’s.

In retirement Billie’s interest in family only blossomed more when she became the following: Connell/Roberts/Mills/Bainbridge/Beall/Brereton/Clack/Dashiell/Donoho/Freeny/Maddox/Parker/Wood genealogist. She researched her heritage by traveling to many states and visited courthouse records and cemeteries, way before Ancestry.com and Find a Grave programs were invented. She was blessed with good health and thus very proud to work as an officer in the Daughters of the Republic of Texas “William Barret Travis Chapter”, and a member of the following organizations: National Society of Magna Charta Dames and Barons “Austin Colony”; National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century “Embassy Chapter”; National Society Daughters of the American Revolution “Austin Colony”; National Society United States Daughters of 1812 “Oliver Hazard Perry Chapter”; Order of the Eastern Star “Grand Chapter”. As well as a member of the Austin Retired Teachers Association that serves retired school personnel. Being an advocate for these organizations, she did enlist many family members and friends to research and join them.

Billie was predeceased by husband Colon Earl Jordan and daughter Tzana Earlette Jordan, parents Sampson Connell IV & Bernice Roberts, sister Sammy Roberta Connell, brother Sampson Connell V and wife Oleta Wimberly. Brother-in-law Kenneth ‘Bud’ Jordan and wife Louise Brown, sister-in-law Marjorie N. Jordan and husband Hershel R. Shepherd, sister-in-law Madge O. Jordan and husband Ernest R. Lincoln.

Survivors are sons, Patrick Marvin Jordan of Georgetown; Paul Connell Jordan, and wife Frances of Round Rock; Sampson Kenneth Jordan, and wife Cynthia of Round Rock; James Edward Jordan, and wife Lisa of San Marcos; and Colon Earl Jordan, Jr. and wife Susan of Troy, Texas. Grandchildren are Bryan Jordan, Keith Jordan and wife Renee, Sara Jordan Todd and husband James, David Jordan and wife Christine, Sampson Jordan, Jr. and wife Morgen, Christopher Jordan and wife Kayla, Philip Jordan, Curtis Jordan and wife Rachel, Preston Jordan and wife Niki, Tzana Jordan Webster and husband Scott, Elise Jordan Meisinger and husband Daniel, Lacey Jordan Williams and husband Jesse, Kaitlin Jordan Jimenez and husband Francisco, Colon E. Jordan, III and wife Chelbi, William Cody Jordan, Daniel Jordan, and 23 Great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family would like to thank Brookdale Senior Living, Hope & Grace Hospice, and Home Instead for caring for mom these last few months. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to International Mission Board (IMB) at https://www.imb.org, Crestview Baptist Church http://www.crestviewaustin.net/give or charity of your choice.

A visitation for Billie will be held Sunday, February 18, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville. A funeral service honoring Billie's life will occur Monday, February 19, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., in the funeral home chapel. Following the service, she will be laid to rest at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery.