Ruth Jordan

Ruth Janell (Norman) Jordan, 78, of Eastland, Texas, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 21 in an Abilene Texas hospital following a lengthy illness.

Ruth was born August 6, 1934 in Brundage, Texas to James E. and Marybel (Chisholm) Norman. She graduated High School in San Luis Osbispo, California, in 1951. She then attended Abilene Christian College in Abilene Texas, where she met Jimmie Webb Jordan. They married on January 23, 1953 in his parents home (Herman C. and Estelle L. (Webb) Jordan), in Eastland, Texas.

As their family began they lived in Saginaw, Texas, then moved to San Jose California for Dad's work, back to Watauga, Texas, and North Richland Hills, Texas, so that the children would be able to attend Fort Worth Christian School.

In 1967, Ruth and Webb sat down with their children and discussed moving to Massachusetts, to help 39 other families start a church. All were agreed. Webb quit his job, sold his business and house he had built for his family. Seven people in a station wagon, behind a U-Haul and FAITH. They stayed in a finished out basement for 6 weeks, before they found a place to live and Webb found work. The Lord put opportunities at Webb's job and the Bible Studies began. One of the converts went on to actually convert over 500 souls! God was in charge. The family all agrees, the 2 year stay there was an awesome experience, the best in their life! They came back to Fort Worth, Texas so their children could continue attending Fort Worth Christian School.

Ruth always enjoyed sewing clothes for the family, keeping a clean house, and was very active and taught in the Ron Willingham Ladies Bible class at the College Hill Church of Christ in North Richland Hills, Texas. They raised 5 children to love the Lord, and Ruth enjoyed family meals together at the table. Each morning as the family grew older, Ruth would fix breakfast, Webb would pray, and then as they ate she read the daily reading from Power for today. She raised her family not only to attend worship each time the doors were opened, but to live for Christ each day, at home, at school, and sports. Her home was opened to others and she always shared what she had. She always said, " These things are not mine, they are the Lords." Later as the five children married and the grandchildren were born, she was in "Heaven" on Earth. Holding and rocking the babies is what she loved the most, and she would do it for hours. She always encouraged others, and would tell her children and family as they headed out the door, "Be a good example!" She loved tea parties and Teddy Bear picnics, for the grandchildren, especially when they could all be there together. She wanted her family to look their best and use the best she had for everyday, which made her family feel so special. Ruth was told as she was growing up, "You are a child of the king!" She always treated others royally, all of her life. Webb and Ruth worked very hard and always worked well together. So many blessings from the Lord have come through them to all of us. They had 60 beautiful years of marriage. Ruth was a help-meet for Webb, as the Lord had intended.

During Ruth's last days in ICU, while she struggled to take each breath, she would ask about others, telling them to take care of their families and " Be Faithful!" Ruth, was the best mom and wife ever, and her family loves her so very much. We all know that God has a mansion prepared for her.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Webb of Eastland, TX; her daughters: Pamela Rose Winkler and husband Mike of Madison, AL; Janell Marie (Simonton) Rainey of Cleburne, TX; Butch Rainey of Hurst, TX; Cynthia Kay Lively and husband Mike of Stephenville, TX; Carol Lynn Blaylock and husband Mark of Eastland, TX; son: Marc Daniel Jordan and wife Tracey of Hurst, TX; her grandsons: Zach Winkler and wife Amy; Tommy Simonton and wife Elasha; Mark Blaylock Jr and wife Pamela; Britt Lively and wife Joshelyn; Josh Lively and wife Audrey, Kaleb Blaylock; Shawn Blaylock; and Thomas Blaylock; her granddaughters: Kristina "Winkler" Smith and husband Scott; Alicia "Lively" Fakhari and husband Adam; Jenny "Simonton" Brown and husband Pat; Selena Simonton; Kaci "Winkler" Kanady and husband Craig; Jennifer "Blaylock" Gustin and husband Steve; and Madison Blaylock; great grandsons: Clay Smith; Taylor Smith; Codi Kanady; Quenton Simonton; Bowen Simonton; Caden Brown; Sawyer Brown; Wyatt Brown; Ford Fakhari; Beau Lively; Jacob Blaylock; Joshua Blaylock; great granddaughters: Emily Smith; Sarah Kanady; Faith Fakhari; Addie Fakhari; Breeley Lively; and Hannah Blaylock.


A visitation will be held Tuesday, July 23, at the Daugherty Street Church of Christ in Eastland, TX from 9-10 A.M. The funeral will follow at 10:30 A.M. Ruth requested to be transported from the church to the Flatwood Cemetery in the motorized sleigh that her loving husband built for her.