Keala Yvette Jordan

1968 was a turbulent year in the United States. The assassination of Robert F. Kennedy and Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the subsequent riots in over one hundred cities, including Kansas City, and the social unrest over the Vietnam war. The few bright spots of that year were the orbiting of the moon by NASA’s Apollo 8, the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1968, and the birth of Keala Yvette Jordan on November 26th, two days before Thanksgiving. Keala was the seventh child of Lorenzo Jordan, Jr., and Mildred Jean Fowler Jordan and the youngest sister to Jennifer, Michael, Almetta “Cookie,” Darrell, Larenda, and Gregory. The celebration and excitement of her birth, cut short by the death of her mother Mildred, only 11 days later. Keala, raised by her grandmother, Essie Jones (Mama), grandfather Wilbur Jones (Papa), and Father Lorenzo.

Despite those tempestuous times and not knowing her mother, Keala was a smart, bright, loving child nicknamed Candy. She exhibited a sweet nature and inquisitive spirit, and above average intelligence. Keala was a shy person, but she had no problem speaking up and voicing her opinion or standing her ground. She attended Kansas City Public Schools including Lincoln Accelerated Academy, and the University of Missouri – Columbia (Mizzou). Although introverted, Keala had countless, friends from kindergarten to college, from Kansas City to Seattle. Keala had a whole community of whom she networked with, and several would say she was their best friend. Keala was witty with a huge sense of humor and was a bona fide nerd who relished going to Comic Con and Geek Girl-Con. She loved to wear Louise’s rabbit ears from Bob’s Burgers and dressed as Garnet from Stevens Universe. She was a fan of science from the NASA program to STEM programs. She loved reading wonderful books with her Lit Chicks Book Club friends, Happie, Christina, Kat, Alisa, and Ellen.

Keala’s last work assignment was with King County Department of Natural Resources as a Project Manager for Waste Management. Although raised Catholic, she was accepting of all religions of God, often asking family members to pray for friends, co-workers, their wellness, always asking for intercessory prayer.

Not only did Keala have great friendships, but she also loved her nieces and nephews, and they had special relationships. Aisha is her first niece who called her “Aunt Kitty” and Keala said that she was the best birthday gift she ever had with her being born on November 20th and Keala on the 26th. She always called her niece Kai Anne a “fashionista”. Her great nephew Jalen and Michael Xavier shared special relationships with Keala. She always gave her great niece Journey STEM and space books. Her first nephew, Ralph Jabari shared a special relationship with her as he moved to Seattle after high school, lived with her while he attended college. During her illness, he advocated for her at the hospital visiting her six to seven days a week from Mother’s Day May 8 to her death, 112 days later where she succumbed an aneurysm as did her mother. Preceding her in death are her mother and father, grandparents, Stepmother Thelma, four siblings, and a host of other relatives. Keala leaves to mourn her two remaining sisters Almetta “Cookie” Jordan, Larenda Lee, and Stepbrother Michael Green. Keala had several cousins, Larry, Chase, Trey, Loraina, Rev Dr. Frank Jordan, Marcia, Robin, Royce, Midge, Garnetta, Cordell, Doreen, Lois, EW, Connie Ann and Kelly.  Other close friends include Andrea, Chris, Anna, Jennifer, McFarland, her book club, and other relatives, coworkers, neighbors, and friendships that spanned all levels of society and lifestyles and when they got together it was like a meeting of the United Nations. Keala will be deeply missed by all of us. 

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

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