Marlene Meier Jordan

ASHEBORO  — Marlene Meier Jordan, 87, of Asheboro, died on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, at the Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro, NC. 

Marlene was born on July 12, 1938, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the first of three children born to Henry John Meier and Ruth Elizabeth Snitker. 

Her father was a pastor whose assignments eventually brought the family south to the small North Carolina community of Mount Pleasant. 

Grandpa Meier was born in Africa to German missionaries and for many years he preached two sermons every Sunday — one in German and one in English. 

Marlene earned a nursing degree at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte and was a nursing supervisor in the Queen City when she met a young physical therapist named Kenneth Wayne Jordan. Jordan was part of the second-ever class in the new department of physical therapy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — and the first-ever male graduate. The couple married a year later, on April 6, 1963. 

Later, Ken worked at hospitals in Lumberton and Chattanooga, Tenn., before returning to his hometown of Asheboro to help start physical therapy departments at both Randolph Hospital and the Randolph County Health Department. Marlene utilized her nursing skills with the Randolph County Health Department and the Randolph County Mental Health Center, where she worked as a psychiatric nurse.

For several years, she oversaw the sheltered workshop  in Asheboro. Ken and Marlene also were instrumental in the formation of the Randolph County Mental Health Association.

Later, she earned a master’s degree in health-care administration and spent years as a supervisor in the field of home health care, first with Upjohn and later with Gentiva. She was a member of First Evangelical and Reformed Church on Cliff Road in Asheboro and the choir director and member of the choir for many years.

A straight shooter who cut to the chase in any conversation, Marlene would serve up advice to willing ears — and perhaps even to reluctant listeners. She was a force of nature who liked to get things done. Now. She did not always focus on taking care of herself, but she loved to take care of others, especially by preparing comfort foods: Scalloped potatoes, mashed potatoes, German potato salad, forgotten cookies, chicken and dumplings, poached eggs, deviled eggs.

Marlene liked a clean house and a tidy garden and did not mind getting her hands dirty to grow glorious roses or zinnias, her favorite. She craved being busy, so crafting was a thing for years — ceramics, basket weaving, decorating clothing — something new all the time. If she ran out of little projects, she would pull down the wallpaper and replace it with a new pattern or brighten a room (or half the house) with new paint or rearrange the furniture. Just because.

“Pit Bulls and Parolees” topped the list of TV shows she enjoyed. She also looked forward to watching her North Carolina Tar Heels on TV. Close games rattled her nerves, and sometimes she would get up and leave the room. If a game was especially tight, she might not come back at all. 

She loved her houseful of dogs, but especially River, who loved her, too. 

In addition to her parents, Marlene was preceded in death by her husband of almost 40 years, Ken; and her brother, Daniel P. Meier.  

She is survived by her children, daughter, Sharon Jordan Womick of Sophia, NC, and son, Mark Wayne Jordan of the home; son-in-law, Chip Womick of Asheboro; three grandchildren, Callista Womick (Victor) of Finland, Maia Womick (Isaac) of Asheboro, and Kensleigh Jordan of High Point; two great-grandchildren, Noble Needham and Baron Needham, both of Asheboro; and brother, David (Dremia) of Asheboro; sister-in-law, Jennifer Meier; and her best friend and neighbor of many years, Bernadette Kornegay, and her long-time friend, Janet Bennett. 

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, from 11-11:50 a.m. at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Ave., in Asheboro. Memorial service will follow at noon in the Glenn “Mac” Pugh Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.