James E. Jordan

James Edward Jordan, of Dale Street Roxbury Mass, was born in Granville Medical Center, Oxford NC on June 6, 1935 to the parentage of the late James Henry Jordan and Annie Green Jordan. Orphaned at the early age of 8 months, he and another sister were taken in by Doc Royster and Essie {Thornton} Royster of Oxford, NC.  Although sadly separated from his siblings, he was nurtured by his foster family and later blessed as a young adult to regain his relationships with his other birth siblings and family.
          Jeff had many trades, hobbies and talents. His early years he worked on a tobacco farm in Berea North Carolina. He worked for Granville County School System Oxford, NC, as a bus driver and held many various jobs in construction around the Triangle area of NC. He spent many days in the Woburn and Cambridge Massachusetts towns as a Cable line installer. In Boston, Jeff worked as a transportation officer for elders and disabled children, an automobile mechanic, and helped with his cousin Elijah B’s {Wilkerson} musical group. He was a great cook and worked many years in a kitchen at a popular nightspot in Boston. Jeff also prided himself on having a meal when you visited his home in Grove Hall with Annie Ruth Ravenell, his daughter Monique’s Mother, who many family, neighbors, and even the community will remember all the fun times had at their home. Jeff and Annie Ruth shared their love for their daughter Monique and spent many hours in the kitchen, fed hundreds, and were a positive influence on several extended families children’s lives. She along with her new Husband Leon, have been great friends prior and during Jeff’s illness, helping family connect with him, and being sure to visit often. He will be missed by his friend of over forty years.
          Jeff was a sharp dresser, loved his hats, watching black and white movies, especially westerns, and his voice was deep like Barry White. Comically, some of his family often teased him because of his voice, and he would smile, with the smile we will remember always. Jeff was dedicated to those he loved, and he loathed others taking advantage of others, and would protect all he loved with all his might. He was comical, congenial, and had a giving heart. He knew no stranger, and he was, as the cliché says: “would give you the shirt off his back” Jeff enjoyed being with his Sister and Brother-Cousins in Massachusetts, visiting often at the home of Bernice Wilkerson-Link. Bernice, and all his extended family, and their children, and their children’s children, whose roots also stem from Oxford, were a part of his daily, and weekly routine for all his years in Boston. The family will miss his presence and his mutual love.
          Jeff shared many memories of his life with others. He enjoyed a great conversation and was full of joy. He often spoke of his travels, his family in Oxford, his sisters, and their children and all about his friendships. Jeff loved and knew the Lord. He rededicated his life to the Lord in the hospital in December of last year, while recuperating from surgery, and knew how blessed his life has been. He enjoyed spending time reading his bible and discussing God with visiting Witnesses’ who would knock at his door. He loved having company. Jeff had many happy memories of visiting and calling his special Nephew Phillip, growing up as a child with Cousin Barbara Jean and others, and loved to speak about trips to North Carolina with Elijah B.  Jeff’s smile was warm, generous and you could hear a snicker as he spoke about his joy during summer drives with the windows down listening to BB King and Gospel Blues. He was truly a special and social being that anyone meeting him would find a great friend.
          As the years come and go there will be many fond memories for many families that Jeff touched their lives. Often crossing the Charles River between Boston and Cambridge Massachusetts Jeff, was a loving and supportive part of another family. His care and concern and relationship with Patricia Murphy-Morrissey, and affection for all her children, was one that spanned many years. Each of the children have a memory of Jeff as a part of their growing up years, as will their children, and their children’s children. Each generation has been blessed by knowing Jeff as the kind man he was, and truly they have been impacted by his presence. They all will miss him greatly.
          Jeff was known as “Uncle Jeff” and “Pops” to many adults and children. Of those, preceded in death was his mate for over 20 years, Beverly Lamb of Roxbury, Mass. Her family members continued to have Jeff come for family dinners and will miss Jeff’s company and investment of time and love. Later in life, he had an opportunity to visit with his daughter Donnamarie, her Husband Edward and his Grandsons Izaiah and Xavier. He had the opportunity of traveling with them to New Mexico, Arizona, Louisiana, and enjoyed seeing many other parts of the country. He was able to attend The Green Harris Reunion in Oxford NC with his daughter for the first time, in the year of 2014. Seeing so many cousins, and loved ones after many years, gave him great joy. Rekindling childhood memories, and wanting to share his love and memories, he continued to make calls across the country, especially to his Sisters and family each week, like clockwork. Each one who received those calls, will keep that close to their hearts forever.
          Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, his Step-Mother Virginia Taylor, his son Alexander Reed,  sisters, Eugene Jordan Crews {Ellis}, Annie Mae Jordan, Elizabeth Jordan Mapp {Charles}; Brothers, General Lee Jordan, James Nelson {Annie}, Willie Edward Jordan, Howard Bernard {HB} Jordan, foster brothers Leonard, Willie Lee, and Doc Jr Royster, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and special first and second cousins.
          He leaves to cherish his memories daughters, Monique Ravenell, of the home, Roxbury Mass and Donnamarie Newkirk {Edward} of Henderson NC. : Sisters Lucibell Jordan Chavis {Jessie} and Betty Jordan Peace {‘Phil’ Prentice} of Oxford NC,  Louise Jordan Sinclair {Prince} Greenville, NC. His foster Sisters Margaret Royster and Francis Royster-Dunston of Oxford, His Grandchildren, Camina (Wilson) Thomas {Terrance} Houston Texas, Monique Wilson, Elizabeth City NC, Emmanuel Carr, Nasir Carr, and Mariah Carr, of the home Roxbury Mass, Izaiah Newkirk and Xavier Newkirk, Henderson NC. His Great Grandchildren, Myles L. Thomas, Quentin M. Thomas, and Gabriel L. Davis all of Houston Texas, Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, all his Sister and Brother-Cousins, Friends, Neighbors, and many others.
 We all will all miss you dearly

Funeral service and burial will be in Oxford, North Carolina under the Direction of Wright Funeral Home, Oxford, NC.

Interment, Olive Grove Baptist Church Cemetery 5014 Old N C 75, Oxford, NC 27565
The family request that in Lieu of flowers, that any gifts be directed to:
The Central Children’s Home, Oxford NC., in Memory of James Edward Jordan. 211 West Antioch Drive Oxford, NC 27565-6990 

The family thanks you for your understanding in the need for a private service. We are living through a historic and unprecedented time in history. Jeff would have talked about this for hours. The event has kept us from conducting a traditional celebration, however Later in the year, in both Boston and Oxford locations, the family will have a special celebration of Jeff’s life, where all families and friends will be invited.
There will be a video tribute and a video made available after the private services have concluded. 
Thank you again for all your love, support, and understanding during this difficult situation. 
Be Blessed Beyond Measure.
 

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