Bettie Lee Jordan

I have probably known Bettie longer than anyone, unless you can beat 71 years. I first met her in June of 1944, though I admit I am a bit sketchy on the details. In December of 1946, my sister came for a visit. I remember because she tried to get here for Christmas, but was a couple of days late.

I think I introduced them.

She liked Bettie so much that she decided to stay.

It was 5 1/2 years later that our brother arrived on the scene. I didn't think he liked it in Los Angeles because he was always crying. Well, the weather was good; there was no smog back then, and he decided to stay. We each began by calling Bettie "Ma Ma", then Mommy, and finally grew to know her as Mom.

Today it is Beloved Mother.

Now don't get confused. Dad was there too, though for awhile he was away at war. It's just that right now it is all about Mom.

I remember stories of her childhood, and how she loved airplanes. One day, her father, "Pop" took her to the airport and put her on a biplane, and paid the pilot a few extra dollars to do some loops and rolls. She loved it.

In later life, her love of adventure and her love of God led her to the mission field. She and Dad spent many happy years ministering to the needs of the Armed Forces personnel overseas. When Dad received his call to join the Lord thirty years ago, she returned to Portland. She went to work to supplement her income, but it was always doing something to further the gospel; she also did much volunteer work.

She spent many hours at Multnomah University calling former and prospective students, to offer them encouragement in her own sweet way.

I remember stopping by her mailbox one day to pick up her mail. She lived on a cul-de-sac. The mailman had just delivered her mail, and was rounding the corner. He saw me open her box, and he stopped his truck and walked up to me.

"Is Bettie Jordan your mother?" he asked.

"Yes, she is," I replied.

"I just wanted to stop and tell you that she is the sweetest person and a perfect example of everything a woman should be."

I was touched that this stranger, who only knew her through brief encounters at the mailbox could pick that up so quickly.

She was a sweet and gentle person, and you probably are too. When someone touches your heart, please stop and share it. Perhaps it will brighten someone's day. Perhaps it will bring tears of joy to the eyes of someone like me, who remembers.

Our love runs deep, Mom.