Helen Slaughter Jordan

Helen Virginia Slaughter Jordan, age 86, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2011, at Alive Hospice in Nashville, Tennessee, where she had been a patient for several months.

Helen was born February 4, 1925, in Fordtown, Tennessee Sullivan County, to John D. Slaughter and Mary Jane "Mollie" Adams Slaughter. Except for a brief time as a young child in Akron, Ohio, she grew up in the Fordtown area and graduated from Holston Institute and Johnson City Business College. As a young secretary working for Frazier Brace Construction in Kingsport, Tennessee, she met Lucky, her future husband, when he applied for a job.

Helen lived most of her life in Hixson, Tennessee, where she and Lucky raised their family. She considered being a mother her highest and best calling, and she was absolutely devoted to her children and grandchildren. She was a wonderful cook and was known for her delicious home-made desserts, jams and jellies, and for the fresh vegetables that she and Lucky raised and shared from their garden. She was a life-long birdwatcher and enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially during Fall, her favorite season.

Helen was a member of Hixson First Baptist Church for over fifty years. She considered Mt. Sharon Cumberland Presbyterian Church to be her church home after she and Lucky moved to Springfield, Tennessee, in 2004.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Francis L. "Lucky" Jordan.

Helen is survived by her four children: Sheila Jordan Cunningham Roger of Memphis, Tennessee; Francis Lamar Jordan, Jr. Dena of Tullahoma, Tennessee; James D. Jordan Paula of Springfield, Tennessee; and John Kirk Jordan of Long Beach, California; nine grandchildren: Abi Jordan Bechtel Aaron; Matt Reid; Luke Jordan; Sam Jordan; Ashley Reid; John Jordan; Jenny Beth Jordan; Drew Jordan; and Emily Jordan; and four great grandchildren: David Bechtel; Claire Reid; Noah Bechtel; and Peter Bechtel.

She is also survived by her brothers and sister: Roy L. "Sonny" Slaughter Romelda; Mary Nell "Ned" Slaughter Hamilton Charles; and Johnnie W. Slaughter Marilyn, all of the Fordtown, Tennessee, area, and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 12-2 pm Saturday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport. Services will be held 2pm Saturday, November 26, 2011, in the chapel of Hamlett-Dobson wih Rev. Todd Adams officiating.

Burial will follow at Tri-Cities Memory Gardens, Blountville, Tennessee.

Pallbearers will be: Abi Jordan Bechtel Aaron; Matt Reid; Luke Jordan; Sam Jordan; John Jordan; Jenny Beth Jordan; Drew Jordan; and Emily Jordan. Honorary pallbearers are Ashley Reid; Brian Cunningham Lynne; Susan Cunningham Metz Tim; and Janet Cunningham Rau Ken.

As a devoted animal lover, Helen rescued and loved countless dogs and cats. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations be made to Humane Society of Memphis, 935 Farm Rd, Memphis, TN 38134, or Mt. Sharon Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 4634 Mt. Sharon Rd, Greenbrier, TN 37073.