06/05/2006
Frances (Brooks) Jordan was born on May 18, 1924, at her home in Marion County, Iowa.
She was one of seven children born to Clarice Lorene Long and James Ray Brooks.
Frances attended school in Knoxville and graduated from Knoxville High School in
1941. She attended Normal Training at Simpson College before beginning her teaching
career. Frances taught at Franklin Center and Sunnyside rural schools.
On June 2, 1946 Frances was united in marriage to Ellis Rodney Jordan. To this union, four children
were born. Frances’s teaching career ended with the birth of her first child. She
continued to be active her entire life.
Frances was a faithful member of the Fairview Christian Church where she served on the
Christian Education Committee taught Sunday School and the Christian Women’s Fellowship.
The success of the Tuesday Church School at Fairview may be credited to the vigorous,
enthusiastic leadership and competence of Frances.
Frances also served on the Marion County 4-H Counsel for many years.
She loved her flowers and was a long-time member of the Community Garden Club. African
violets were her specialty.
Family and friends remember the delicious cinnamon rolls that Frances always brought to
potlucks and holiday meals. She also made wonderful chicken and noodles and dinner rolls.
In 1976 Frances was inducted into the National Master Farm Homemakers Guild.
She was the national secretary from 1985 to 1987.
Frances Lorene Jordan passed away on Monday, June 5, 2006, at her home at the age
of 82 years and 17 days. Those family members preceding her death were her parents,
husband, 1 brother, Benny Brooks, and one brother-in-law, Gene Stevenson.
Family members left to mourn her passing are one daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Neil
Crane of Pleasantville; three sons, Rodney Jordan of Knoxville, Roger Jordan of
Knoxville and Gary Jordan and his wife, Tricia of Knoxville; two granddaughters
and their husbands, Angela and Brian Johns of Des Moines and Emily and Joe Herring
of Madrid; one great-granddaughter, Madison Johns of Des Moines; two sisters, Helen
Stevenson of Knoxville and Barb Peterson and her husband Larry of Ankeny; three
brothers and their wives, James and Merryjo Brooks, Bob and Dottie Brooks, and Marvin
and Joyce Brooks of Knoxville and one sister-in-law, Midge Brooks of Pleasantville.
A Celebration of Life was held on Thursday, June 8, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. at the Fairview Christian Church with burial in Lincoln Cemetery in rural Marion County. Pastor
John Claussen officiated at the service. Midge Brooks was the organist. Congregational
hymns were “I Found A Friend, Oh, Such A Friend,” “Living For Jesus” and “Love Lifted
Me.” Honorary casket bearers were Russell Johnson, Andrew Reister, and Ted Ward Jr.
Memorials in memory of Frances Jordan may be made of Hospice of Central Iowa, Fairview Christian Church, or ALS.
Condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.williamsfh.com.
Williams Funeral Home handled the arrangements.