Email
Print

Martha Sue Jordan (A.B. ’35, M.A. ‘45, Ed.S. ‘71), a longtime Georgia educator and faculty member at the University of Georgia’s College of Education, died on Friday, April 29, 2011.  Memorial services will be held on Thursday, May 5 in Newnan.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1935, Jordan began her professional career in Warwick, where she taught English, Latin and social studies for six years. She taught English and social studies in Ashburn for three years, serving the last two years as the high school principal. In 1944, Jordan moved to Newnan for 16 years. She taught English and social studies on both junior high and senior high levels. She was the curriculum director of the Newnan City Schools during her last eight years there.

In 1961, Jordan became a faculty member in the UGA College of Education. Although she taught some courses, she worked primarily in the Demonstration Professional Laboratory. She assisted student teachers and supervising teachers in preparation for the student’s experiences in the public schools. She also 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.

Early in life, Jordan had the greatest admiration for UGA 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.”

Completing 44 years in education, Jordan retired from UGA in August 1979, returning to her home in Newnan where she remained active in the community for another 20 years.

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.

A 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 at 2 p.m. with her longtime 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. Jordan will be interred on Saturday, May 7, 2011, at 2 p.m. beside her beloved mother in the family cemetery in Woodland, Ga. Those who wish to honor Jordan’s life may do so by memorial contributions to Central Baptist Church P.O. Box 1221 Newnan, Ga., 30264. Online condolences may be expressed atwww.mckoon.com. McKoon Funeral Home, 770/253-4580.

Obituary in Newnan Times-Herald
Obituary in Atlanta Journal Constitution