Elder James Lee Jordan

1954 ~ 2025

Date of Death: June 13, 2025

---

In profound sadness, the staff of Veasley Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc. want to express our sincere condolences to the Jordan Family. Elder James' earthly temple is now resting in the care of Rowell-Parish Mortuary. Revelations 21:4 says, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." Be assured that in the days ahead you will surely gain strength from the memories of Elder James Lee Jordan.

Sincerely,

Derrick Veasley ~ Director

Henry Veasley ~ Director

Pastor E.C. Maltbia ~ Chaplain

---

James Lee Jordan was born on May 30, 1954, in Reedville, Arkansas; to the late U.D. Jordan, Sr., and Addie Mae Jordan of Reedville, Arkansas.

He attended A.L. Reed in Dumas, Arkansas before the end of racial segregation.  He attended Dumas High School, where he developed a lifelong love for art from his Art Teacher Mrs. Joy Hudson. She forever changed his life for the better with the phrase “Johnny, you can be anything in life that you want to be.”

James accepted Christ at an early age at Havis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Roosevelt Lockett. James later rededicated his life to Christ at New Birth Jerusalem Church Of God In Christ under the leadership of Superintendent Robert L. Cook.  James served in various capacities in the church: Deacon, Usher, Choir Member, Minister and Evangelist.  He served as Pastor at First Church of God in Grey Rock, Arkansas; the former Genesis Church of God in Christ in Fort Smith, Arkansas; and Genesis The Word Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas until his transition.

James served honorably in the United States Army for nineteen (19) years; serving as the Multinational Peacekeeper Force in Sinai Egypt; 12th Battalion Motorcycle Scout in California; 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell Kentucky and 1st Calvary Battalion in Fort Hood, Texas.  He also served in Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Alaska and Colorado.  While in Texas, he attended Central Texas College pursing computer programming. While in Colorado, James was a Certified Nursing Assistant at the University of Colorado School of Nursing.  James also worked as a Correctional Officer at the Arkansas Department of Corrections until he relocated to Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was known to be both integral and loyal.

James was fifteen (15) years old when he met Shirley Faye Bell, who was twelve (12) years old.  They married on October 6, 1974, in Dumas, Arkansas.  Together they have five (5) children, twenty-four (24) grandchildren and thirty-nine (39) great-grandchildren.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of fifty (50) years Shirley Faye Jordan of the home; Son: Andre T. Jordan of Barling, Arkansas; adopted son: Darian (Marlen) Jordan of Fort Smith, Arkansas, daughters: Gwen (Sean) Zachery of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Yolanda Dewhart of Fort Smith, Arkansas; and Dietrich      Jordan of Bearden, Arkansas.  In the home two (2) great-grandchildren: Ja’Braylin and Ja’Kaydin Allen.    Brothers: Larry Jordan of Gould, Arkansas and Arthur “Champ” Jordan of Dumas, Arkansas. Sisters: Mary “Polly” Jordan of Memphis, Tennessee; Bessie Jordan of Dumas, Arkansas and Lillie (Stephen) Jordan-Owens of Edwardsville, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents: U.D. Jordan, Sr., and Addie Mae Jordan; two (2) brothers: Johnny Rankins and U.D. Jordan, Jr., one (1) sister: Dorothy Jean Tilley and one (1) son: James Detraille Jordan. James’ favorite scripture was Luke 1:17b “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Walk through visitation for family and friends will be Friday June 27, 2025; 10:00am to 3:00pm Rowell-Parish Mortuary Chapel 611 North 9th Street and 4:00pm to 7:00pm Northside COGIC 4420 Kelley Hwy., Fort Smith, Arkansas 72904.

Celebration of life service will be Saturday June 28, 2025; 1:00pm Northside COGIC 4420 Kelley Hwy., Fort Smith, AR. 72904.

Committal and final resting place: Curtis Hall Cemetery Dumas, Arkansas on Monday June 30, 2025; 1:00pm.