Matthew H. Jordan, Jr

Matthew H. Jordan, Jr., affectionately called "June," son of the late Viola Grier and Matthew H. Jordan, Sr., was born on April 10, 1933 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He departed his life on May 17, 2007 as he went peacefully from a nap to eternal rest. After accepting Christ at an early age, he was Baptized at First Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC. He was educated in the Winston-Salem, North Carolina Public School System where he received many awards for his unique art work, carpentry, and brick laying. At a young age, being multi-talented in all of these areas of study, he was known to build wagons, skate mobiles, tree top houses, and bridges across bodies of water. Upon leaving High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army for six years where he received an honorable discharge in 1955. After his discharge he attended Elizabeth City State College in North Carolina where he majored in Liberal Arts. In 1960, he relocated to Washington, D.C. where he pursued a career in Printing, becoming known as the one of the great tradesman in his specialty of work. In the summer of 1962, he became an apprentice in a well known printing company where he moved on to become a professional Lithographer. He served diligently in the GCI Local 285 Union for 25 years. His hard work and expertise prepared him for the position of Shop Steward assisting employees in labor disputes. He became a well respected Journeyman and Supervisor who was loved by his co-workers and supervisors. Every morning Matthew entered the workplace asking the employees, "Are you all in your places with sun-shiny faces?" Then he responded, "This is the way to start a new day." He enjoyed life, and making others laugh to the point where they forgot their problems. His personality was magical in the sense that once you met him, you could never forget him. He touched lives with his contagious and joyful spirit leaving a legacy that will live on forever. It was in 1976 that Matthew was united in holy matrimony to the love of his life, Stella DeLoatch-Gatling. In April 1992, he retired from Aurora Color in Washington, D.C. He pursued his hobbies of traveling, fishing, golfing and expert carpentry. He also became an active member of the Melwood-Waterford Civic Association where he was a member of his neighborhood Watch Team. On November 28, 2004, he received the Right Hand of Fellowship and became a member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. He was an active and faithful member who served on the "Feed the Hungry" and "Shabach" ministries. He enjoyed the fellowship with his church family. In October 2006, Matthew and his wife, Stella re-located to Riverdale, Georgia to live happily ever after. They built a new retirement home on a solid foundation of 31 years of God's love. His memory will be forever cherished by his loving wife, Stella, four children, Landrell Lemont Jordan (Evelyn), Neenah Jordan Kelliebrew, (Michael) Harvey Lee Gatling, (Marjorie) and Gregory Gatling (Audrey). He is also survived by two sisters, Marjorie Ellis and Isadora Springs, both of Winston-Salem, NC., and his DeLoatch in-laws, Raymond (Mabel), Willie (Celina), James (Barbara), George (Janice), Cornell (Gladys), Ronald (Francis) and Jeanette Jeffries. His sister Dorothy Mae Steele preceded him in death. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, 13 nieces, and eight nephews. Some of his special life time friends include, Rev. Burt Lattaker, James Shaw, Billy Crocket, Selwyn Clyburn, Barbara Jean Clyburn, and Pauline Hill. He also leaves to mourn a host of relatives and friends. Click here to view family video.