Evelyn Gray Whitman Jordan

DURHAM – Mrs. Evelyn Gray Whitman Jordan, 75, passed away on Thursday, April 29, 2021 from heart failure. She was at peace and in no pain, surrounded by family and love.

Evelyn was born on May 25, 1945 to Robert and Ruby Whitman in Duplin County, NC. 

Mrs. Jordan was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Louis and Robert Whitman; and sister, Lillie Mae Duff. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Jerry Jordan; sons, Michael Jordan (Maggie) of Chapel Hill, NC, and Keith Jordan of Durham, NC; brothers, Thomas Whitman (Melba) and Joseph Whitman; sisters, Kathryn Barfield (Charles), Barbara Fisher, and Judy Whitman; and grandchildren, Alyson, Eric, and Emma Jordan.

Evelyn treasured her family and worked to ensure each person felt loved. Children were particularly close to heart, and she had often worked in childcare whether in her service at church or in private life. She had owned and operated a daycare for a period and she and Jerry were foster parents for many years. Above everything else, though, she loved her grandchildren – Alyson, Eric, and Emma. 

She enjoyed travel and seeing new things. She loved the beach and mountains, and cruises. She visited Europe in 2019 and enjoyed seeing Paris, Germany and Venice. Her travels also took her to the Pyramid of the Sun outside Mexico City, the Bahamas, Canada, the Grand Canyon, Hawaii, Napa Valley, New York City, Boston, New Orleans, and many other places in the U.S. She loved to visit her family in eastern North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, Georgia, and California or wherever they were. She was always ready for a road trip. 

She was generous and loved Christmas, in part because it gave her an extra excuse to give gifts to everyone she knew. She also loved decorating for Christmas, and her tree was always decked out in tinsel from top to bottom. 

She grew up on a farm, and never lost her connection to a rural or agricultural lifestyle. She loved Elvis Presley, Conway Twitty, Blake Shelton and Dwight Yoakam, among many others.

She had a great sense of humor and a kind heart. She didn’t like to see anybody or any animal suffer and would help if she could. 

She was a long-term member of Salem Baptist Church in Apex, NC and is now united with her Savior. Heaven’s gain is our loss.

Visitation/Memorial Wednesday, 5/5, 12:30pm – 1:30pm at Hudson Funeral Home, 211 S Miami Blvd, Durham, NC 27703. All are welcome.

Graveside funeral service Wednesday, 5/5, 2pm at Brier Creek Memorial Gardens, 7600 ACC Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27617. Officiating will be long-time family friend Pastor Mark Howard of Kennebec Baptist Church in Angier, NC. All are welcome.

Those who wish may send flowers, or alternately, make a memorial contribution to her favorite charity, the Shriners Hospital for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.