Ms. Ruth Earline Jordan

Mrs. Ruth Earline Jordan was born May 25th, 1931, to Nilas and Mozelle Thompson, the 7th of 10 children, in Durham, North Carolina. As a youth, Ruth was a member of Mount Gilead Baptist Church. After high school, she attended North Carolina Central University, before moving to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1957, she married Ernest Anderson and from this union, along with a bonus daughter, produced three more daughters and one son. She was later united in marriage to Donald J. Jordan on August 22nd, 1981, until his death on February 8th, 2007. While raising her children, Ruth completed her college studies and graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee with a bachelor’s degree in Community Education. Ruth proudly worked for over 20 years as a job counselor for the state of Wisconsin O.I.C. program, a non-profit agency that helped people develop skills to get jobs in the community. After her retirement she participated in the state foster care program for several years helping to raise four foster children while providing childcare for her own grandchildren. Throughout her life, she was known as ‘Aunt Suh’ to her many nieces and nephews; as ‘Mama Ruth’ a welcoming stepmom to her bonus children, as well as an endearing title used by many of her children’s friends. She had a quick wit and hardy laugh that would put everyone at ease in her presence. Ruth was a wonderful cook and baker. She truly enjoyed cooking but loved feeding folks just as much! She loved to dance, and her grandchildren enjoyed watching her ‘cutting a rug’ well into her late eighties! For many years, she was a member of Saint Francis Catholic Church and always maintained a strong belief and faith in God. Ruth Jordan departed this life on November 11th, 2024. She is preceded in death by her mother and father Nilas and Mozelle Thompson; her brothers Willie, Clifton, Alton, Nilas Jr, and Alfoot; her sisters, Lois, Mary, and Marie and her daughter Kim Lavon Anderson. She leaves to cherish her memory, her sister Martha Harris, children, Karen (John) Hunt, Donald (Dee) Anderson, Liana Anderson, and her step daughters Paula(Greg) Ward, Carol Cosey and Diana Jenkins; grandchildren, Chela(Ken) Downey, Constance Sprewer, Leah Winters, Martini Samuels-Anderson, Andew Sprewer, Corey(Dana) Dossett, Donald Anderson Jr., and Xavier Anderson; 12 great grandchildren and a host of nieces , nephews, and friends.

Ms. Ruth Earline Jordan

May 25, 1931 - November 11, 2024