Mr. Windsor Ludy Jordan Sr.

Windsor Ludy Jordan Sr. passed away, December 5, 2017 peacefully and with family at his side. Windsor was the youngest son of deceased parents, Mary Belle Jordan and Vernon E. Jordan Sr., born January 18, 1937, in Atlanta, Georgia at a time of segregated schools and limited business opportunities for people of African descent. He was the younger brother of Vernon E. Jordan Jr., who survives him, and adored brother, the late Warren Griggs. He was born early, a lifelong proud “Grady baby,” kept warm by bricks at the foot of his parent’s bed. The bricks had been warmed by his father. Returning to Grady Hospital for a scheduled check-up, hospital staff was surprised to see him. They had not expected him to live. Not having told his parents this, Mary and Vernon had taken their baby home and with the help of those bricks and the wisdom of knowledgeable friends from the country, fed him pot licker, Mary Jordan sewed him caps to wear, and stayed in bed with him to keep him warm. For over eighty years we were all able to come to know and love this “Grady Baby” and his always welcoming spirit. Before starting her catering business, Mary Jordan had the concession service at Fort McPherson. She took her two young sons to work with her. While she worked, her sons played and the army officers golfed. Windsor would shag errant golf balls, put them in his hands behind his back and smile at the officers till they gave him a nickel and then they could get their golf balls back. Fortunately the officers thought his help was comical. That early entrepreneurial spirit was born there. When asked by his Mother what he wanted to do when he grew up, he always had the same answer: “ I just wanna work with you Momma” and that is what he did. He worked with his best friend, whom he almost always referred to as Mary Jordan, at Mary Jordan Catering Service inc. He graduated from David T. Howard High School, having enjoyed his high school years. Windsor proudly went on to Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), where he majored in Home Economics. His arrival there, and room set by his parents went just fine, until his parents noticed there were only girls around the dorm. Back in those days the thinking was that Home Economics, was only for girls and yes, in declaring his major, Windsor was assigned to a girls’ dorm. This was not a problem for Windsor, but it was a problem for Hampton Institute. The Dean had several meetings with Windsor, the first being to let him know he was moving to another dorm. This was decades before co-ed dorms and certainly no co-ed floors. Although his dorm changed, his mind did not change about Home Economics. Years later classmates would reminisce about the elaborate dinners he would prepare and serve in the dorm hallway, using sheets for tablecloths. Where the food came from, it was always chicken, no one ever knew. Windsor went on to the American Baking Institute, (now the American Institute of Baking in Kansas.) where he was fascinated by and excelled in learning the chemistry of baking. After graduation he would return home, briefly work for commercial companies, including Frito Lay, National Liquor Distributors and then went to work for “momma,” Mary Jordan. He successfully moved Mary B. Jordan Catering Service from a home based business in the “old Fourth Ward”, on East Avenue, to north Atlanta on Howell Mill Road. He also successfully expanded the clientele from family gatherings and celebrations to major corporate events that included client Coca Cola and the opening of Lenox Mall. On hearing of his passing one former client summed up his life: “Windsor was in his element in his kitchen and with his clients. I can still see him at Anne and Hannah's and Allen and Elizabeth's wedding receptions, making sure everything was all right, smiling with the guests. That was 10 and 9 years ago. Time does fly! He was doing what he loved best. “ It was always for Windsor a service business and he excelled in meeting client expectations, continuing a stalwart of Mary B. Jordan Catering Service, inc. Windsor was in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and took great pride in being able to use his catering skills. He enjoyed regaling family and friends with stories of baking cakes for the colonel’s wife. Local community volunteer service included working with the Boy Scouts, and as a founding parent of the Friends School of Atlanta. He worked with and supported numerous other groups and individuals. He was always available to family, friends and acquaintances for support and advice, both personal and professional. A special community contribution resulted from his relationship with author and educator Gary Pomerantz. While Pomerantz was teaching at Emory University and writing his NYT 1996 Notable Book of the year, “Where Peachtree Meets Sweet Auburn,” Windsor was invited to speak to students about the history of black Atlanta. He also toured with Emory Students and became the historic voice of historic black Atlanta and the residential neighborhoods of South West Atlanta. The book dedication was to Gary’s wife and Ross and Winds, “our Atlantans.” Windsor was especially proud of the achievements of his five children, all of whom survive him. His eldest child, Lyndon N. Lassiter (nickname Terry), and her mother Barbara Worthy; his first born son, W. Adrian Jordan, his daughter, Kyna Jordan, whom he nicknamed “Nikki” and their mother Laura B. Jordan; and his twin sons, Ross S. Jordan and Windsor L. Jordan Jr. their mother and his wife, Adelaide Solomon-Jordan. He is also survived by three loved grandchildren Rowland, Julia, and Vernon and one great-grandchild, several nieces and nephews and numerous cousins. We will hold his memory dear, recalling the joys and happiness he brought to the lives of so many. Funeral Saturday, December 9, 2017, 11am at St. Paul AME Church, 1540 Pryor Rd., SW., Atlanta, GA 30315 Visitation, Friday, December 8, 2017, 10am-8pm with family hour 7pm-8pm at Gregory B. Levett & Sons, Funeral Home, 4347 Flat Shoals Pkwy, Decatur, GA., 30034 . 404-241-5656 Burial at South-View Cemetery

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Mr. Windsor Ludy Jordan Sr.

December 5, 2017