Madge Jordan Ross, age 83, of St. Clair’s Creek, Bath, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 1, 2012, at Vidant Medical Center in Washington, after a brief illness. She was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother. As a lover of books, she was a charter member of the Pam-Le-Ko Book Club. Madge was a kind and gentle woman and a lifelong member of St. Clair’s Church of Christ. She believed in the Lord, the love of her family, and was a stickler for wanting things done right. She took much pride in her yard and flowers, and could often be found tending them, wearing her big straw hat.
Madge was born on February 9, 1929, the daughter of Plum Walton and Tiney Margaret Keech Jordan. She graduated from John A. Wilkinson High School in Belhaven and was a member of the Tri-Hi-Y. Madge was the beloved wife of George Delma Ross, Jr., marrying on October 18, 1947, and had planned to celebrate their 65th anniversary this year.
She leaves behind five children and their spouses. Jennifer Ross Sawyer (Kenneth) of Charlotte, Janet Ross Courson (Reid) of Washington, George Delma “Buddy” Ross III (Lynn) of Bath, Laurie Ross Smith (Dennie) of Washington, and Lisa Ross Duke (Joey) of Bath.
She leaves thirteen grandchildren: Jonathan Evans of Waterford, PA; Tamara Shahbazi (Shariq) of Buford, GA; Zach Courson of Cheyenne, WY; Peter Courson of Washington; Jenny Modlin (Ed) of Jamesville; Sara Ross of Bath; Emily Chancellor (Will) of Winterville; Maggie Potter (Michael) of Bath; Nathan Smith of Washington; Nicole Spence (Wesley) of Washington;  Natalie Smith of Durham;  Meredith Mobley (Aaron) of Washington; and Jacob Duke of Greenville.
Madge leaves two great-grandchildren, Raafay and Zyra Shahbazi of Buford, GA.
She is survived by three sisters:  Alice Gray Walton and Gloria Dean Eubanks of Jacksonville, FL, and Carolyn Paul of Belhaven. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Baker and Rose Cox, and three brothers — Millard, Jack and Beamon Jordan.
Pallbearers for the service will be her grandsons: Zach Courson, Peter Courson, Nathan Smith, and Jacob Duke, and husbands of granddaughters:  Ed Modlin, Will Chancellor, Michael Potter, Wesley Spence, and Aaron Mobley. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Pam-Le-Ko Book Club.
The funeral will be held at St. Clair’s Church of Christ, Bath, on Tuesday, September 4, 2012, at 3:00 pm with Craig Hagen officiating. Visitation will be at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington from 7:00 to 8:30 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012. Visitors will also be received at the home of her son, Buddy Ross, at 10134 NC Hwy 99S, Bath.
Contributions in Madge’s memory can be made to St. Clair’s Church of Christ, 9814 NC 99 Hwy. South, Bath, NC 27808.
Madge’s video tribute may be viewed and condolences may be offered by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.
Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Ross family.