Shirley Jean Jordan

“Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. Her mouth speaks wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her. Many women have done noble deeds, but you surpass them all! Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates.” - Proverbs 31:25-31

Shirley Jean Jordan was born on November 23, 1935 in Lawton, Oklahoma. She was the only child of Ocie and Ernestine Littleton. On September 22, 1965, Shirley married the love of her life, George “Jake” Jordan, Jr. Together, they raised ten wonderful children and a beautiful granddaughter: Kenneth “Kenny” Harkins, Otis Johnny Clark, Reginald Clark, William “Billy” Clark, Michael Clark, Zachary Clark, Kevin Clark, Stacy Clark, Mark “Bum” Clark, Robert “Bobby” Clark, and Nicole Clark (McCown). Shirley also raised her two grandsons, Darien Clark and Roy Brown, after her husband’s passing.

After graduating high school, Shirley moved to Newport News, VA and attended Anthony’s Barber College, where she graduated as a licensed beautician and barber. During her career as a barber, she worked at the barbershop on the Army base at Ft. Eustis in Newport News, VA, and Esquire and Tim’s Barbershop in Hampton, VA. She enjoyed attending the hair and fashion shows in Atlanta, GA every year. 

Shirley was a God-fearing woman. She believed in the Lord and had accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age. She was a member at Denbigh First Baptist in Newport News and Bethel Temple in Hampton. In her free time, Shirley loved attending the Jazz Festival at the Hampton Coliseum, and going to the casinos in Atlantic City in NJ and Casino Row in Biloxi, MS. She also loved spending time with her family and close friends. She and George, along with her parents and children, spent quite a bit of time at the NCO Club playing bingo, swimming and participating in the New Year’s Eve celebrations. Shirley was considered the Matriarch of her community, the historic African American neighborhood of Warwick Lawns. Her family and friends affectionately nicknamed her “Cool.” In addition to her career and family interests, she also enjoyed thrift shopping with her granddaughters Nicole and Gaylia, and watching TV shows with her grandson, Roy. In her later years, she and a group of her friends, coined “The Golden Girls”, would meet for lunch every week at the Golden Corral in Newport News.

On July 16, 2024, the Lord called Shirley home. She was predeceased by her parents, Ocie and Ernestine, and four of her sons, Bobby, Kenny, Johnny, and Billy. She is survived by five sons, Reginald Clark, Michael (Linda) Clark, Zachary (Ebony) Clark, Kevin Clark and Mark Clark; one daughter, Stacy Clark; and her beloved granddaughter whom she loved like a daughter, Nicole (Derrick) McCown. She also leaves behind two very special grandchildren, Gaylia Clark-Washington and Roy Brown, who were actively involved in her life, in addition to a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren, and other relatives and friends.

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