Born on July 24, 1923, in Margarettsville, North Carolina, Erdie Virginia Jordan was the firstborn child of William Henry "Daddy Ballsy" Darden and Antoinette "Mama Baby Sis" Darden. As the eldest of six children, Erdie helped set the example for the generations that followed, embracing the values of faith, compassion, and family that defined the Darden household.

Raised in a loving Christian home, Erdie was educated in Northampton County and became a devoted member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Margarettsville, where her faith remained an important part of her life. Those who knew her remember a woman whose kindness was as steady as her faith, always willing to lend a helping hand or offer encouragement to anyone who crossed her path.

On September 2, 1950, Erdie married the love of her life, Waverly Howard Jordan, in Portsmouth, Virginia. Together they built a beautiful life, making Portsmouth their home for more than six decades. Their marriage, which lasted 61 years, was a testament to enduring love, commitment, and partnership until Waverly's passing in 2011.

Erdie found joy in life's simple pleasures. She loved knitting, baking cakes and homemade rolls for family gatherings, and caring for those around her. Whether through a warm meal, a handmade gift, or a kind word, she expressed her love in ways that made everyone feel welcomed and valued. Family was always at the center of her heart, and she found great happiness in seeing loved ones gathered together.

Throughout her life, Erdie remained deeply connected to her siblings—John William Darden, Jesse Lee Darden, Lennie O'Dell Daniel, Beulah Jane Daye, and Janet Marie "Reedy" Hayes. She experienced both the joys of watching the Darden family grow and the sorrow of losing her parents, her beloved husband, and later her youngest sister, Janet. Even through seasons of loss, her faith and gentle spirit remained unwavering.

On October 8, 2020, at the remarkable age of 97, Erdie peacefully departed this life, leaving behind a legacy of grace, generosity, and unwavering love. She was preceded in death by her husband, Waverly Howard Jordan; her parents, William and Antoinette Darden; her sister, Janet "Reedy" Hayes; her sister-in-law, Dozine Darden; and her brother-in-law, Hinton Daye.

She is lovingly remembered by her brothers, John William Darden and Jesse Lee Darden; her sisters, Lennie O'Dell Daniel, Beulah Jane Daye, and Lois Powell; along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends whose lives were touched by her kindness and unwavering faith.

As the eldest of the Darden children, Erdie represented a living connection to the family's earliest generations. Her life reflected the lessons taught by "Mama Baby Sis" and "Daddy Ballsy"—to love deeply, serve others faithfully, and cherish family above all else. Her memory continues to inspire the generations who proudly carry the Darden legacy.