Sue Etta Burks Jordan's Obituary
On Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 2:00 A.M. God dispatched an Angel from Heaven, to release His servant
Mrs. Sue Etta Burks Jordan from the bondage of her illness and set her free, taking her from labor to
reward.
Sue Etta was born on June 14, 1936, to Ozell Burks and Artimishe Warren Burks, the third of four
children in Frankston, Texas. Her parents and her siblings Harold, Ben and Marjorie Rhea preceded her
in death.
Sue spent a portion of her elementary school years in Washington D.C. and after returning to Frankston,
she attended George Washington Carver and upon graduating went on to Prairie View A&M University
where she met and fell in love with a young soldier named, Joe Nathan Reed, they were united in holy
matrimony and to that Union, God blessed them with two sons, Joe Nathan II and Billy. Billy preceded
her in death.
Under the loving care and guidance of Aunt Will and Uncle Sam, Sue accepted Christ at an early age and
was baptized. She united with Mt. Olive Sandflat Baptist Church and later attended Golden Gate
Missionary Baptist Church where she remained a faithful dedicated member until she moved away from
Texas. Mt. Olive remained her home church until her passing. She served as a member of the Sanctuary
Choir and the Women’s Prayer Group at Golden Gate. She performed in many choir concerts with the
church as she loved singing and was an accomplished, classically trained singer and won awards for her
talent while attending Prairie View. In later years she continued singing and also traveled and
performed with the Junior Black Academy of Arts and Letters (formerly JBA, now known as TBAAL).
Sue's life was a life well lived. She had many fond memories and told stories of the times the young
family was stationed in Germany and Colorado.
As life would have it, she moved to Dallas with Joe and Billy and began working for Marriott hotels in
room service where she met and then married, William C. Jordan, uniting the two families and their sons
as one. They remained married until his passing in 2011. Sue truly enjoyed the perks of having retired
from the Marriott Marketing Department when she traveled and was a proud member of the Marriott
Corporation’s, “Quarter Century Club”, a special club of perks for employees who have retired with 25 or
more years of service. Traveling had always been a love of hers and she enjoyed trips to destinations
such as: Hawaii, Las Vegas, Reno, Belize, Honduras, Mexico, Jamaica and many more.
She exemplified the character of a true born-again Christian. Always giving, always extending grace,
always giving an honest opinion and simply being a support system and lending her heart and hand to
her friends and loved ones.
Sue always kept a smile on her face, a laugh on her lips and love in her heart. Sue was known for her
pleasant smile, honest advice and her good cooking. We will all miss those sweet potato pies and that
7-up cake! Sue made everyone feel welcomed. When anyone came to the house on Ann Arbor, they
knew that they were welcome at her table invited or uninvited. She loved cooking and eating good food.
Sue was a great soldier. She was very strong in mind and heart and wanted to continue the legacy of
Aunt Will. She opened her heart and home to multiple people and families over the years, giving of
herself all that she could in order to lighten someone else’s burden. She instilled the love of God in their
hearts.
Sue Etta Burks Jordan leaves to cherish her memories and look forward to a reunion in Heaven:
Her son, Joe N. Reed II of Frankston, Texas; niece Cynthia Brown and husband Craig of Houston, Texas;
Stepsons William C. Jordan II (Danette), Michael Jordan (Connie) and Carl Jordan; Granddaughter,
Celethia Reed of Houston and her children: Devon & Peyton; Granddaughter Nikketta Wilson of Garland,
her husband and children: Earnest Wilson II (Jay) Earnest Wilson III (Trey) , Gabrielle, Carson and Jaxson;
Grandson Raheem Reed of Fort Worth, Texas and his daughters: Ryleigh and Telia; Sister, Sauletta Rowe
of Tucson, Arizona. She also leaves some special people behind: Cousins, Gay Billops, Larry & Mary
McCowan, her lifelong Janelle Barrens and daughter Angela Barrens-Alexander, her dear friend Linda
Gamble-Camp and surrogate granddaughters Rosanna Dupree & RaChelle Aikens, all of whom she
maintained close relationships with.
This was a life well lived. Sue Etta was a woman that lived, loved, and laughed. She fought a good fight,
she kept the faith, and she finished her course. Now she is gone to live with the Lord eternally in glory.
What’s your fondest memory of Sue Etta?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sue Etta?
Share a story where Sue Etta's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sue Etta you’ll never forget.
How did Sue Etta make you smile?