Rebekah Riley Jordan

Rebekah “Becky” Browning (nee Riley) Jordan, age 98, went to her heavenly home on June 1, 2023. Becky, called “Skeeter” or “Skeets” by her family, was born in Russellville, KY on March 25, 1925. She lived throughout the United States during her 54-year marriage to husband Cmdr. Glenn Davis Jordan, Sr., a US Navy carrier jet pilot, and the only love of her life. She lived over 50 years in her Norfolk, VA home where she and Glenn finally settled, before moving to Durham, NC in her final years. Becky met her beloved husband, Glenn, at age 15. She played “hard-to-get” until they were eventually married on August 9, 1947 and were separated only by Glenn’s death in March of 2001. She missed him dearly and longed for their eventual reunion. She faithfully kept his legacy alive through stories and photos for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all of her days.

Growing up in Russellville, KY during the Great Depression, the daughter of the town barber, she never lived with a mindset of poverty, but always one of abundance. Her memories of childhood were filled with the small joys that brought great wealth to her life. During her years as a young mother of three boys, often on her own during Glenn’s long deployments, she maintained that attitude of abundance and life, embracing the path God had given to her. She never complained about her life or circumstances. She was a small body with an enormous soul who was known to (in her own words) “hit the ice cream, real hard.” She was affectionately described as tough as nails, adaptable, clever, full of wit, stubborn as a mule, beautiful, youthful to the end, extremely tender, full of grace for others, and an ardently faithful follower of Jesus. She instilled God’s truth and love in the minds of all of her offspring, and continuously prayed for her family. In her last hours she communicated an absolute assurance of where she was going, and was giddy to be heading to her “true country.” She was beloved by all who knew her, and the distinct joy of being in her presence will be sorely missed.

Rebekah was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn, as well as her parents Edward Marion Riley and Williston Van Princis McReynolds, her sister Mary Williston Davis, and her eldest grandchild Jason Dan Jordan. We take comfort that she is reunited with them now. She is survived by her three sons, Glenn Davis Jordan, Jr. and wife Elizabeth Neal Jordan, Dan Edward Jordan, and David DeLoache Jordan and wife Valerie Jean Jordan, as well as four grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; Ivan and Mechelle Jordan (Jade and Caleb), Laura and Robert Agaba (Eden, Etta Mae, Ivy Ann, and August), Elise and Adam Nelson (Florence, Clive, Josephine, and Wendell), and Paul and Alexandra Jordan (Charles Glenn). Rebekah was also cherished by many additional family members and friends. 

A celebration of her long and faithful life will be held at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service in Durham NC on July 15, 2023 at 11:00 AM.