Martha Sue Jordan

Martha Sue Jordan, the only child of William Benjamin and Jessie Woodall Jordan, was born September 30, 1914, in Talbot County, Georgia. She was reared in Woodland and finished Woodland High School in 1931. The following year, she began her college education at Georgia State Teachers College in Athens, Georgia. She graduated in 1935 with the A.B. degree at the University of Georgia. She also earned the Masters Degree and the Specialist in Education at the University. She began her professional career in Worth County, Georgia , in the small town of Warwick where she taught English, Latin and Social Studies. After six useful and wonderful years at Warwick, she spent three years in Ashburn, Georgia. She taught English and Social Studies and the last two years she was the High School Principal. In 1944 Miss Jordan moved to Newnan, Georgia, for sixteen years. She taught English and Social Studies on both Junior High and Senior High levels. He last eight years she was the Curriculum Director of the Newnan City Schools. In each of these schools, Miss Jordan was community oriented becoming very active in church activities, other organizations as well as social activities. She taught Sunday School and assumed various responsibilities with the youth organizations. In Newnan, in addition to teaching, she coordinated the Student Experiences for Mercer University, Wesleyan and the then West Georgia College with the Newnan schools. She always managed to keep busy! In 1961 Miss Jordan became a faculty member in the College of Education, University of Georgia. Although she taught some courses, she worked primarily in DPL (Demonstration Professional laboratory). She assisted student teachers and supervising teachers in preparation for the student’s experiences in the public schools. She traveled to a number of schools and visited with the students and teachers discussing their achievements and planning next steps in the program. Eventually, she had the opportunity to initiate a Student Teaching Center in the Atlanta area for several colleges and later in the Clarke County Schools. Through the years her professional memberships included: Life member of NEA, GAE and the UGA Retired Teachers Association, Life member of the Parent Teachers Association, which was presented to her by the Newnan Junior High School P..A., Kappa Delta Pi (she was honored as “Teacher Educator” in 1973), Phi Delta Kappa National and Georgia ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development). She served the Georgia ASCD as President in 1971 and was on the National board. She was presented certificates of Leadership and Appreciation from both ASCD organizations. She was a charter member of MU Chapter Delta Kappa Gamma in 1947 (Honorary Women Teachers Organization) and was the second President. She was also Corresponding Secretary of Psi Stazte Delta Kappa Gamma for a biennium. She remained an active member serving on committees. As she became a fifty-year member, she was honored by the chapter with a beautifully designed “Book of Letters”. She was also a charter member of the Knox-Conway Daughters of the American Revolution in 1942 in Ashburn, Georgia, and was the first Secretary. She transferred to The Cherokee Chapter in Atlanta where she was Yearbook Chairman for two terms and remained a reserve member. Early in life, Sue Jordan had the greatest admiration for the University of Georgia and through all the years has been an avid football fan. On the Saturdays that the Bulldogs play, she dons the red and black with the Bulldog vest and lets nothing prevent her from seeing every play on TV. Among the memorabilia in a special room hangs the “Dan Magill Award” which reads: “For loyalty, dedication and commitment to the Bulldogs and to the University, presented by the Newnan Bulldog club.” It is now the Coweta-Fayette Bulldog Club. Completing forty-four years in education, Sue Jordan retired from the University of Georgia in August 1979. Miss Jordan then returned to her home in Newnan, Georgia. Miss Jordan became a volunteer with the Cancer Society, where she served as President of the local unit and remained on the board. She volunteered for the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society, of which she was a member, and was a member of the Newnan Reading Circle. In 1998, she moved to the beautiful new Wesley-Woods of Newnan-Peachtree City, a community for senior citizens. Miss Jordan loved to read, play bridge, walk and meet people and travel. Sue Jordan, a loyal friend, a very thoughtful, sincere and generous individual, maintained appositive attitude about life, people, and personal and professional activities. Her influence continues to be felt in the educational area and in the community. Sue Jordan was a member of Ephesus Primitive Baptist Church in Woodland, Georgia. In 1952 she joined Central Baptist Church in Newnan, Georgia. A dedicated member, Miss Jordan taught Sunday School several years, and was active in the Joy Sunday School Class. Survivors include first cousins Suzanne Pye (Warren) Richardson, John A. (Martha) Woodall, Mary Ann Woodall (Robert) Fritz, Caroline Woodall, and a number of other cousins and many friends. Funeral arrangements are by McKoon Funeral Home at 38 Jackson Street in Newnan. The memorial service honoring the long and distinguished life of Martha Sue Jordan will be held at Central Baptist Church in Newnan on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 2:00 PM with her long-time friend and pastor, Dr. Joel E. Richardson, officiating. There will be a reception for family and friends in the church fellowship hall following the service. Martha Sue will be interred on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 2:00 PM beside her beloved mother in the family cemetery in Woodland, Georgia. Those who wish to honor Miss Jordan’s life may do so by memorial contributions to Central Baptist Church P.O. Box 1221 Newnan, Georgia 30264. Online condolences may be expressed atwww.mckoon.com. McKoon Funeral Home 770-253-4580.

Martha Sue Jordan

September 30, 1914 - April 29, 2011