By: Tom Williams | June 10, 2025
Clarksdale, Mississippi – In the aftermath of unthinkable tragedy, Rose Jordan found purpose in pain. After losing two of her sons to gun violence—her youngest in 2021 and her middle son in 2023—Jordan turned her grief into action through her work with Moms Demand Action (MDA), the nation’s largest grassroots movement working to end gun violence.
Moms Demand Action was founded in 2012 by Shannon Watts, a stay-at-home mom who, like millions of Americans, was shaken by the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. What started as a single Facebook group has now evolved into a powerful national force advocating for stronger gun laws and a culture of gun safety. For Rose Jordan, joining this movement wasn’t just activism—it was survival.
“I don’t think gun violence will ever end,” she said. “But it is my hope that I can help support those affected. And by fighting for tougher gun laws, it is my hope and prayer that I can have a hand in saving lives.”
Jordan’s journey is marked by resilience and deep sorrow. A devoted mother, she treasures countless memories with her sons. From church activities and youth group programs to swimming competitions and late-night phone calls with all of her boys and her grandson, those moments now serve as anchors in her grief. Her sons organized annual Teens Against Drunk Driving events in Friars Point during prom season, educating peers on law enforcement interactions, racial profiling, and safe decision-making. Their passion for youth empowerment lives on through her.
But the pain of loss cuts deep.
“It’s hard losing a child, but when you lose two, it numbs you. It’s the body’s way of protecting you,” Jordan shared. “The manner of the way I lost them hurts. Sometimes I wonder if the blow would lessen if it had been a health issue or a car accident. But the betrayal involved in both cases angers me.”
Now raising her grandson—who cried every night for a year and a half after his father’s death—Jordan carries not only the weight of her own grief but also that of her family. “People recognize my strength,” she said, “but they haven’t a clue what I really feel and go through.”
Despite living in what she calls a state of emotional limbo—“just existing, not living to my fullest potential”—Jordan continues to serve as a beacon of strength for those around her. Her siblings, her only surviving son, and her grandson give her a reason to rise each day. “If I break, then they’ll break. They’re watching me, so I have to show strength.”
One of her strongest supports is her sister and friend, LeKitha Hill, who also lost her only child to gun violence. Hill introduced Jordan to Moms Demand Action and helped her find the courage to speak about her sons’ deaths. “At first, I couldn’t even talk about the loss,” Jordan said. “But she helped me. It’s healing for me to help other grieving families stay on their healing journey.”
Through MDA, Jordan continues to share her story and advocate for change—not only to honor her sons but also to reach others walking a similar path. “I celebrate them by keeping their names alive and helping others affected by gun violence.”
Justice, in her eyes, is clear: “Justice will come when those who took a life give up their life.”
Still, her message to others struggling with grief remains rooted in faith and hope. “Trust God,” she says. “Know that better days are coming. Death isn’t final, and it’s not a punishment. The Bible says to celebrate death. We can overcome together, one day at a time.”
Rose Jordan’s journey is one of unimaginable loss—but also of unwavering love, unshakable faith, and the tireless fight to make sure no other mother endures what she has. Through every tear, every memory, and every act of advocacy, her sons’ legacies live on.
The community is invited to join Rose Jordan, LeKitha Hill, and fellow survivor Ebony Johnson at the upcoming Moms Demand Action event on Saturday, June 14, from 12 PM to 4 PM at the Delta Blues Museum Stage in downtown Clarksdale, MS. This powerful afternoon will feature personal stories and testimonials from survivors, as well as counseling and insurance information, fraternity and sorority participation, vendors, food trucks, a live DJ, and entertainment. Attendees are encouraged to wear orange to show their support for ending gun violence.
Together, with voices like Jordan’s leading the way, Clarksdale is standing up for change—one story, one step, and one life at a time.
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