A Portrait of a Well Lived Life

On August 24, 1922, Dovie Jordan was born to the Parentage of J.D. and Sarah Surrell in Leesville, Texas, on Wells Ranch. She started her elementary and middle school education in Leesville, TX. She went on to graduate from high school at Solomon Coles, Corpus Christi.

Dovie was baptized at an early age at Palestine Baptist Church, Leesville, Texas. In 1941 her dad, J.D. Surrell and his beautiful daughters relocated from Leesville to Corpus Christi, Texas. They united with St John Baptist Church where she served faithfully. Several years later, Dovie joined St John First Baptist Church where she also severed faithfully as Secretary of the Senior Usher Board and Hospitality Committee and Head Cook on special occasions. Dovie was a faithful employee of Bethune Cookman Day Care Center for 65 years where she was Head Chef for a number of years.

Later in her young adult life she met and married Vern Edward Jordan and to this union four children were born, James Edward, Freddie Charles, Gloria Jean and Carolyn Ann Jordan. Dovie was a loving, caring, and giving woman. She loved picking up the neighborhood kids, taking them to usher practice. She truly loved helping people. It did not matter to her if you were a close friend of the family, a family member or a distant associate.  If there was a need, she was willing to fulfill it, expecting nothing in return. Dovie fought many battles, she shed many tears, had her share of laughs, smiles and did her best to give love to all. She tried her best to be a positive example to her children and others. God knew the road was getting rough, and the hills hard to climb, so on November 2, 2020, He whispered in her ear, and she took his Hand when she heard Him call. There to greet her at Heaven's Gate was Her Parents – J.D. and Sarah Surrell; her sisters, Pearlie B. Askey, Dorothy Drinkard, Lovie Surrell, Norma J. Surrell, Norva Lee Terry and Bessie Surrell Clark.

So to you- My son: Freddie "Teddy Boy" Jordan (Shirley), my daughters Gloria "Jeannie" King, Carolyn "Nuddy" Richardson (James "Jimbo"), Charles Etta Keesee (Lee Arthur).   To my grandchildren: Freddie Jordan, Jr., Lisa Williams (Anthony), Byron King (Nona), Reginald King, LaTecia Pearson, Tiffany Ballard (Jordan), Monica Jordan, Yvette Fillmore (Freddie), Tammy Sanders (Keith). and a host of great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends, know that this is not goodbye, as long as you keep your hands in the Master's Hands, one day, He will whisper in your  ear, and take your hand and welcome you into Heaven's Gate and He will say, welcome home!

With Love Always, "Mama Dovie/Big Mama"