Ernest Jordon

Ernest Jordon was born on March 5, 1923 in Washington, DC to the late Horace and Mary Jordon. One sister and three brothers preceded him in death: Georgia, Roy, Lewis and Samuel Jordon. His niece, the late Blanche Virginia Jordon Davis, was reared in the home with him. Ernest attended the King George Training School in Edgehill, Virginia. He enlisted with the United States Navy in 1944. While in the Navy, he attended CSB School for sixteen weeks and received the American Theater Ribbon Victory Medal in June 1946. In 1946, Ernest was joined in holy matrimony to Celestine Maiden (Jordon). To this union two daughters were born, Ernestine LeJae (Shay) and Claudette Theresa (Sissy). After his military service, Ernest began working as a laborer at the Naval Surface Weapons Center, Dahlgren, Virginia. He was also a mail carrier with a secret clearance. One of his most valued accomplishments was earning his Graduate Education Degree (GED) on February 11, 1970. Outstanding performance ratings and letters of commendation attested to his high quality of service. He ended his career as an Electronic Technician in the Engineering Department, retiring on January 2, 1980 after over 36 years of Navy military and civilian service. Ernest was proud of the fact that he worked part-time as a Plumber's Assistant with James Johnson Company while he had two daughters in college. Upon retiring and after many requests and prompting, Ernest began working for the King George County Schools Transportation Department as a bus driver. He proved to have a wonderful rapport with the students. Ernest served as a devoted and faithful mate, caring for Celestine after her debilitating stroke and then a second stroke. He was the chief caregiver, and with the help of Aides and the children kept her in the home throughout a difficult illness. He was known to have the "patience of Job." At an early age, Ernest joined Little Ark Baptist Church. He had a deeply imbedded passion for gospel music. He followed the Nightingales and Dixie Hummingbirds up and down the Eastern seaboard. He was on first name basis with the members and always went backstage after their performances. Ernest departed this life on Thursday evening, November 7, 2013. He leaves to mourn his two daughters, Ernestine Jefferson (Kelly) of Ft. Washington, Maryland and Claudette Jordon of Lusby, Maryland; one grandson (his shadow), Kelly Troy Jefferson and great-granddaughter Tierra LaShae Jefferson of Ft. Washington, Maryland; three sisters-in-law, Melvine Smith and Frances O'Brien of Suitland, Maryland, and Itelia Walker (Nathan) of Carson, California; special children, Ashley, Cheryl and Beverly (Sparky) Stewart of Dahlgren, Virginia, Denise Riordan of Rutland, Vermont, and Doris Whalum of Chicago, Illinois; special nieces, Elsie Jordon, Phyllis Johnson (James), and Laurie Bland (William) of Dahlgren, Virginia; special nephews, Ralph Jordon of Viera, Florida and Antonio Johnson of Dahlgren, Virginia; loving friends, Keisha Green of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, John and Blanche Chapman and family of Ft. Washington, Maryland, Brenda Jackson Johnson, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Rev. Matthew and Lena Bumbry, Helen Newman, Inez and Linwood Jackson, and Pearl Smith of Dahlgren, Virginia. "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." II Timothy 4:6-8