Charlotte Keelin Jordan
Charlotte Keelin Jordan, recognized as Tennessee's oldest citizen, has died at age 110. Ms. Jordan lived most of her life in Chattanooga, but she was living near her daughter at College Park, Ga., when she died.
A Chattanooga niece, Marsha Hayes, said Ms. Jordan "just got tired and stopped eating and drinking. She never thought she would live this long."
She said she and other family members went to Georgia to visit with her three weeks ago. She said Ms. Jordan began to cry, saying she "was thankful and grateful that we would come to see her." Ms. Hayes said, "That is the kind of person she was."
She said Ms. Jordan "was very dear to everybody. Everybody loved her." She said she "read a lot, including Christian books."
Ms. Hayes said Ms. Jordan was living in the Ooltewah area when a deadly tornado struck in 2012. Neighbors took care of her until family arrived. Ms. Hayes said it was then that her only daughter began steps to have her moved near her.
She had outlived her husband of over 60 years, James Jordan.
Ms. Jordan was a teacher in the Hamilton County Schools for 45 years, teaching at Summit, Harrison and Ooltewah elementary schools. She was a member of the Tennessee Teachers Association.
She attended St. Elmo Elementary School and graduated from Howard High in 1928. She was the oldest living graduate of Howard. She received her bachelor's degree from Tennessee State University and was its oldest living graduate.
She was the oldest living member of Field's Chapel Church in Summit. She was a former Sunday School teacher and served in the Missionary Society.
She "was known for her patience and expertise as a teacher and had an outstanding personality. She continued to exhibit care and concern for others."
Ms. Jordan has a daughter, Norma Mack Roland, and two grandsons, Thomas (Ali) Roland and Bobby (Kelly) Brooks, as well as two great-grandchildren, Axl and Asa. Other nieces and nephews include Peggy Adams and Sandra Turner; Lynn Stanton, James and Marsha Hayes, Adrienne Cross, Banks Roland and Wilma Taylor.
The funeral service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the John P. Franklin Funeral Home on Dodds Avenue.
Charlotte Jordan