Eddie Jordan

Eddie Dee Jordan was born May 5th, 1932,in Paulding, Mississippi.  She was the second child born to the late Rev. Samuel E. Heard and Eddie Dee Fowler Heard. Eddie Dee, being named after her mother was affectionally know as little “Dee” to family and friends. Dee peacefully transitioned this life on August 8th, 2024.

Joining her family, Eddie moved to Baltimore in 1949.  Two years later in 1951, she met and married, the love of her life, Herman R. Jordan.  They had two children, Glenda P. Jordan and a son Jerome R. Jordan.  Both children and her husband of 62 years preceded her in death. Also, preceding her in death were her siblings, Bessie Weese Heard, Earnest Heard, Harvey Lee Heard, and Donald Ray Heard.

During the early years of Dr. Martin Luther King’s movement, he was urging African Americans to return to school to further their education in order to “turn in their blue uniforms”.  Eddie, along with many others of her generation, attended night schools in efforts to seek better jobs.

At 31 years old, Eddie’s big break came through in September 1963.  She began her 30-year career at Carnegie institute Dept. of Embryology as a laboratory helper.  With her husband’s support, she was able to work full-time and attend college in the evenings.  She studied the courses she needed for a promotion to enter the technical field of Molecular Biology Biochemistry. 

Two years later, she was promoted to a research technician, isolating and characterizing DNA genes.  She worked for and alongside an internationally famous and prize-winning research geneticist, Dr. Donald D. Brown.  

To show his appreciation for Eddie’s dedication to his work, Dr. Brown included her name as co-author of many of his published papers. She contributed to DNA research, isolating the first gene that was ever characterized. Eddie loved what she had accomplished.  She bragged that Molecular Biology was the greatest field in the world to work in.  Eddie retired in June 1993, at the age of 61.  

After retiring, she followed her dream of helping others whose lives had fallen through the cracks of humanity.  She established a non-profit organization titled, “Goodwill Toward All Men”.  She would later join “The Sanctuary Without Walls”, an outreach arm of Israel Baptist Church that worked with people with substance abuse issues under Rev. Dr. H. Walden Wilson, II.  

Eddie enjoyed making quilts, spending time with family/friends, and studying God’s Word.  She was saved and baptized in December 1956.  She remained a member of Israel Baptist Church until her departure.

Eddie leaves behind to celebrate her departure:  a loving grandson, Darrell Jordan; brother/sister-in-law, Raymond/Tisha Heard; niece, Diane (Jason) Brooks; great nephews/niece, David Jr. (Dawn), Curt (Lori), Steven (Catrice), Andre, and Sharon. Many other nieces and nephews residing in Baltimore, California, Ohio, and Kentucky. Special cousin Stephen Johnson, and very special friends, Kathy (Darrell’s mother)/Rodney Alford and neighbors Terisa & David Bird.      

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