Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 4, 1994 TAG: 9408180081
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By MARY JO SHANNON SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Born during the sixth month of gestation, she weighed only 2 pounds, 2 ounces. She spent the first three months of her life in the hospital nursery. Today, at 18 months, she is petite, alert and definitely feminine.
If Jordan grows up unspoiled, that will be another miracle.
Besides her family status as the "miracle baby," Jordan has 13 living grandparents - 15, if you count step-grandparents.
Jordan's parents, Michael and Andrea Alley of Northeast Roanoke, knew there were lots of doting grandparents. But they were amazed to discover just how many when they began to list them. The grandparents range in ages from 40 to 95, and all are living at home - in Roanoke, New Castle or Boones Mill.
Five maternal generations are represented: Jordan; her mother, Andrea; grandmother and grandfather Bonnie and Frank Campbell of Roanoke; great-grandparents Dennis ''Wimpy'' and Phyllis Bradon Campbell of Roanoke and Leona Farmer Throckmorton of Roanoke; and great-great-grandmothers Cora Temple Campbell, 95, of Boones Mill and Delphia Mae Bradon, 91, of Roanoke.
On the paternal side are: Jordan; her father, Michael, a lab technician at Community Hospital; grandfather and step-grandmother Sheldon and Donna Sue Alley of New Castle; grandmother and step-grandfather Wanda and Michael Jennings of Roanoke; great-grandparents Roley and Reva Alley of New Castle, Russell Ratliff of New Castle and Edith Jane Ruble of Roanoke.
"They all buy her so many cute, dressy outfits, she hardly ever wears play clothes. Jordan just loves to dress up and wear her jewelry," her mother said, fingering the toddler's ruffled bonnet while Jordan darted here and there inspecting purses, books and anything else within reach.
When her name is spoken, Jordan responds with a winsome smile, cocking her head flirtatiously, apparently waiting for further communication. Perhaps she expects to be taught a new "trick."
"All her grandparents try to teach her special tricks," Andrea said. "Granddaddy Wimpy plays the guitar for her to dance."
Even without music, Jordan delighted in demonstrating the dips and twirls of her "dance." On cue, she also performed her other accomplishments: waving "like Miss America," winking and even producing an unmistakable whistle.
How will she manage to identify so many grandparents and keep them straight in her mind? Already she has pet names for those she sees frequently - her mother's side. Nana and Paw-Paw, Granddaddy, Granny, Grandma, "Little Granny" - her great-great in Boones Mill - and Mae, her great-great in Roanoke.
Later, when she can learn their names, she will distinguish the other six by adding last names to the appropriate "Grandma, Grandpa, Granny," etc. That is, unless she invents her own names for all these loving people she has inherited.
by CNB