Stella Mae Jordan

March 1, 1945 – May 15, 2026

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4

“She was vibrant, classy, and elegant — a woman whose love became her legacy.”

~ Her Life & Journey ~

Stella Mae Jordan was born on March 1, 1945, in the beautiful town of Jackson, North Carolina, to the late Raymond Deloatch Sr. and the late Elvie Boone Deloatch. She was one of eight children and attended W.S. Creecy High School in Rich Square, NC. Stella was shaped by the warmth and richness of her community. With a spirit full of grace and a heart full of purpose, she carried the values instilled in her from those early years throughout every chapter of her remarkable life.

After her first marriage, which was blessed with two beloved sons, Harvey Gatling (deceased) and Gregory Gatling, Stella followed her heart to Washington, D.C., where destiny had something extraordinary waiting for her. It was there that she met the love of her life, the late Matthew H. Jordan Jr. — affectionately known as “Matt.” On a day filled with promise and joy, in 1976, they were united in marriage and made their warm and loving home in Capital Heights, MD.

~ Faith, Service & Purpose ~

On November 28, 2004, Stella experienced a profound and life-changing transformation — she was born again and received the Right Hand of Fellowship as a cherished member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Upper Marlboro, MD. Her faith became the very foundation upon which she built everything. She demonstrated her passion for serving others through dedicated volunteering with “Feed the Hungry” and “Shabach” Ministries — touching lives, feeding hearts, and checking on family, friends, and neighbors with tireless compassion and unconditional love.

In her roles as wife, mother, and sister, Stella fine-tuned her matriarchal characteristics that prepared her for a career spanning over 40 years in service to others. Her innate ability to serve was truly an extension of who she was — effortless, vibrant, and deeply human. It is no coincidence that in her career roles as a Nursing Assistant at Sibley Memorial Hospital and as a Mental Health Counselor at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital — a federal institution of the District of Columbia — she rose above every expectation and excelled in her own light.

~ Her Twilight & Eternal Rest ~

After 31 wonderful years together, Stella and her beloved Matt decided to build their dream home in Riverdale, Georgia, where they would live out their retirement years in peace and togetherness. Tragically, in May 2007, Matt transitioned to his heavenly home. Though deeply felt, that loss did not diminish Stella’s radiant spirit.

She went on to build a new and fulfilling life — and in Atlanta, Georgia, she found Woods Memorial Baptist Church, where she established a new church family away from home. There, she was affectionately called “Mother” of the church, and she faithfully served as a dedicated Missionary, pouring her love into everyone around her.

Family was her foundation. It was her faith in God and her love for serving Him that allowed her to provide abundantly for her sons, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family. The unconditional love, loyalty, and servitude she modeled have become a living legacy — traditions carried forward in her profound and lasting memory.

She was preceded in death by her brothers Raymond, Willie, James and George Deloatch.

~ Those She Leaves to Cherish Her Memory ~

Her devoted son Gregory Gatling (Audrey); brothers Carnell (Gladys) Joel (Francis) sister Janette. first cousins Elizabeth Gatling and Dot Boone; grandchildren Artys, Arniece, and Antoine; great-grandchildren Kennedy, Amelia, Ayah, Jamiah, Jeremiah, Diontae, Nyair, Zyann, Jarobi, Heaven, Summer, and Autumn; devoted daughter-in-law Marjorie Gatling; devoted sister-in-law Isadora Jordan Springs and loving nieces and nephews Maurice, Tamara, Darla, Sandra, Darlene, Tamia (Paul, Zain, and Kai ), Ricardo Jr. Nia (Cody, Ariah, Carter) Gatling nieces and nephews Vick, Castile, Terry, TT; Deloatch nieces and nephews  Charlene, Selena, Willie JR, Valencia, Erick, Tameka, Kimberly F., Benita, Tion, Paris, Kimberly D., Sade, Geniece, Billy, Katrina; and the families of Spencer’s, Amir’s, Brown’s, Segura’s, Reynolds’s, Pollack’s, and Wilson’s. Special thanks to her Georgia family for taking care of our dear Stella: Mary, Angie, Jenie, Cynthia, Ollie, Delores, and Thomas.

A viewing and visitation with the family will be held on May 29, 2026, at 10:00am at Woods Memorial Baptist Church, located at 5665 Old National Hwy, Riverdale, Georgia 30249, with the funeral service starting promptly at 11:00am.
Entombment will be after the service, located at Holly Hill Memorial Park, 359 SW Broad Street, Fairburn, Georgia 30213.