Ruby Taylor Jordan, 87, passed away Friday, July 7, 2006 at home. Ruby was born to parents, Reuben and Minnie Taylor September 19, 1918 in Brownwood, Texas, where her father worked for Santa Fe Railroad. He was transferred to Silsbee where Ruby attended the first grade. Her father was then transferred to San Augustine, where Ruby grew up and graduated from San Augustine High School in 1936 as salutatorian.
She married her high school sweetheart, John Jordan from Bronson, Texas on Halloween night, October 31, 1936. John often joked that they went trick or treating and wound up married. Ruby and John were both 18 years old and found out that it was difficult to obtain a marriage license and get married on a Saturday. However, they managed to awaken the pastor of South Park Methodist Church who graciously performed the ceremony. Last October, Ruby and John celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary.
Ruby worked to help put John through the University of Texas. When their daughters were old enough to attend school, she began her college career at Lamar University and received a degree in elementary education. Ruby then taught sixth grade for two years and fourth grade for twenty years at Eugene Field Elementary. She was a natural teacher and dedicated herself to her teaching. She loved the students and was loved by them. Her most rewarding moments were when former students recognized her and told her that she was the best teacher they had ever had.
She lived her entire life with a generosity of spirit and concern for others and gave of herself freely and humbly and with no concern for receiving credit for herself. She spent many years teaching in the elementary department of First Methodist Church. At Trinity United Methodist Church, she was active in the John Land Sunday School Class and a member of the hospital visitation team. She was a loyal member of Delta Kappa Gamma.
Dedicated to her family and friends, Ruby was always available to her children and grandchildren who greatly benefited from her example of a truly exemplary life of simplicity and enthusiasm. You always felt good after being around Ruby.
She is survived by her husband of sixty-nine years, John Jordan; daughters, Lynn McGown and her husband Mike of Beaumont and Karen Cooper of Randolph, New Jersey; two granddaughters, Mallory McGown of Houston and Cheryl Cooper of Tucson, Arizona; two grandsons, Michael McGown of London England and Eric Cooper of Randolph, New Jersey; one great granddaughter, Olivia McGown of Beaumont; and two great grandsons, Jay Paul and Jordan Rauscher of Houston.
A gathering of family and friends will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 11, 2006 in the Parlor at Trinity United Methodist Church. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the church sanctuary with burial in Forest Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Broussard's, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont.
All members of the John Land Sunday School Class at Trinity United Methodist Church are designated as honorary pallbearers.
Memorials are suggested to Trinity United Methodist Church, P O Box 5247, Beaumont, Texas 77726.
