Kay Carole Jordan

Kay was born September 12, 1942 in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of Ronald and Ruth Reid Smith. She grew up in Dallas, Texas graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School, and began her membership in the Presbyterian Church which became the major influence in her life.

Education was very important to Kay who earned her bachelor’s degree from Trinity University, a master’s degree in history from the College of William and Mary and a second master’s in special education from the University of Iowa.

A summer experience in Ethiopia through Crossroads Africa inspired a strong commitment to mission work and social justice initiatives in the United States and in other countries.

Kay’s intellectual talents, creative ideas, sense of humor and strong social skills contributed to many achievements in classrooms, literary endeavors, sales jobs and volunteer work in churches and communities where she lived in Texas, Washington DC and Iowa. She fervently promoted the empowerment of women which led her to start Mission Design, a business to support women in Guatemala and Mexico.

Kay loved to travel and made many trips to Europe, Central and South America, Africa, and throughout North America. Her other passions included gardening, cooking, writing and entertaining.

Kay married David Jordan November 25, 1967, and they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They worked together on many projects, especially in their leadership of Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Camp and Conference Center from 1999 to 2011 and at Grinnell College and at Austin College.

Kay was preceded in death by her beloved mother Ruth Reid Peeler, her father Ronald Smith and her step- father Raymond Peeler in addition to numerous friends and family. She is survived by her husband David Jordan; two daughters Anna Jordan Burbano and husband Manolo and Leah Jordan Swindle and her husband Eric; and three grandchildren – David Burbano, Leah Isabel Burbano, and Elliott Swindle.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 27 at 1:00 in Sudie George Chapel at First Presbyterian Church Dallas. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to contribute to Presbyterian World Mission (Presbyterian Church U.S.A, PO Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3200 or www.presbyterianmission.org) or to a charity of your choice in her memory.