Family, water-skiing, coconut pie & century of the good life

Peachtree Leola Martin Jordan, affectionately known as “Toodie,” was the embodiment of life, love and colorful behavior. She loved anything outdoors, including camping and traveling, and was still water-skiing at age 70. She also enjoyed crocheting.

The God-loving, Bible-reading lady was always good to her son, Billy, and three daughters – Charlene, Gayle and Dottie – doting on all of them. She made sure every night she kissed them, helped them say their prayers and tucked them into bed.

“She was a great mom, she was there when we needed her,” said one of her daughters, Charlene Palmer. “If we were sick, it was right to the doctor. She babied us.”

Toodie was born on Feb. 13, 1920, in Andrews, graduating from Andrews High School. She would spend most of her years in Cherokee County, with a stint in Henderson County.

Toodie made an impression on folks wherever she appeared. Even at 104 years old, she did not dress the part. She fashionably wore lipstick, hairdos, high heels, purses and jewelry. Toodie stood out.

In her early years, Toodie worked as a waitress in Fontana. She also enjoyed working with her husband, M.J., at their family-owned business, Jordan’s Market in Andrews.

When M.J. retired, Toodie decided she was not ready and continued working. She took a nurses aid course at District Memorial Hospital and also worked with Berkshire Hosiery in Andrews.

She grew up attending First Baptist Church in Andrews, bringing her own children up in the same congregation. Toodie enjoyed working in the nursery, where she loved children and babies.

Later, she and her husband joined Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mills River, when they moved there with a daughter in 2003. Toodie was once again very active in the congregation.

She and M.J. were married for 66 years before his passing in 2007.

Toodie was known for her “famous” coconut pie, and on her 104th birthday she received one.

“We are our mama. I catch myself doing so many things that she did and saying so many things that she said. She is the strongest person I have ever known in my life,” said daughter Gayle Simpson of Stanfield.

Toodie has always bounced back. On three separate occasions, she called the family and church in to say her goodbyes when it was thought she was going to pass way.

“She’s an anomaly, and she is my hero,” Simpson added.

Toodie instilled in her children that they were not better than anyone, nor was anyone better than they were, and to always treat people equally.

“Mama’s favorite quote to us was, ‘I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck and you bet your pretty neck I do, I do,’ ” Palmer said.

Her favorite color was purple and she loved roses. She has eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild on the way. She gave credit for over a century of living the good life to God.

Toodie peacefully passed away in Asheville on March 4 with family at her side. Her memory will continue to live on in the lives of the many people she touched.

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