Alberta May Jourdan

Alberta May Carpenter Jourdan was born to Ethel May Carpenter and Charles Orville Carpenter on April 18, 1921. She was named after an unusual Canadian Alberta Clipper storm that came through during that time.

She joined her family of older sisters, Virginia and Lola Belle (Bollin). Later, her brother Charles, Jr. completed the family. All are predeceased except Charles, Jr. The family began in St. Joseph, Missouri. They moved to the Kansas City area when Alberta was a teenager. She met the love of her life when she was sixteen years old. She married Clifford C. Jourdan in 1941. In the midst of World War II, they had two children, Philip C. Jourdan and Carol A. Jourdan. While Clifford served in the war. Alberta worked at an architectural firm with his brother. After the war, Cheryl M. Jourdan Craft (James) and Daryl E. Jourdan (Mary) were born. All are predeceased except Cheryl and Daryl.

Alberta enjoyed being a stay at home wife and mother. She was an amazing seamstress, making matching dresses for herself and her daughters each year for their vacation time. She baked the cake and made the bridesmaid dresses and trousseau for Cheryl’s wedding.
Alberta was an accomplished pastry cook. She made meringue pies and cream puffs from scratch. We had dessert every day. Her delicious biscuits have not been duplicated.

We always had a large garden and fresh vegetables on the table. She loved flowers, birds and making her yard beautiful.
She was a lifelong member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Community of Christ. She and Clifford enjoyed the fellowship of the church and raised their family as members. After her family was grown, she worked for the Herald House Book Store, serving the church and making many friends.

From 1984-85, Clifford and Alberta enjoyed life in Bradenton, Florida. She was an avid shell collector along the beaches of Anna Maria Island. When Clifford passed. Alberta returned to live in Lee's Summit, Missouri, and be close to family.

This year marks her 100th year. She was looking forward to her birthday and we celebrated with cupcakes at each visit. She loved life and her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 1-2pm on Wednesday, March 3rd at Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64052. A graveside service will follow at Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence, Missouri.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com