Janet Jordan Zehr

Janet Jordan Zehr, born in December 1946, died August 10 at age 78 at her home in Asheville after fighting an illness of several weeks and its aftermath. She was the daughter of Clarence and Florence Jordan of Americus, Georgia, She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Farrel Zehr, a daughter, Julia Zehr of San Carlos, California, son-in-law Michael Schwartz and grandchild, Alex Schwartz, and two brothers, Frank Lenny Jordan and James Jordan of Atlanta and Raleigh. Eleanor Kesim, an older sister, predeceased her.

Jan grew up at Koinonia Farm, an interracial Christian commune cofounded by her father. She lived through a period of violence against the community and a difficult four years in high school. In her adult life she became a serial entrepreneur, starting or building a number of successful businesses. Her businesses included three flower shops, a church software company, a graphic design agency, an 18 room B & B inn and restaurant, a bakery deli, and a bake sale. In her last venture she served coffee every morning at 7 to the homeless in Pritchard Park for 5 years including during Covid.

She did all this in spite of a childhood accident which impacted her memory throughout her life and at the end. She will be remembered by those who knew her as kind, generous, and a very strong willed individual. During her last hour at one point troubled by her failing body, Jan was calmed by listening to one last complete rendition of “Lift every voice and sing til earth and heaven ring, ring with the harmonies of liberty . . . .”

The family requests that in Jan’s memory donations may be made to 12 Baskets, Beloved Asheville, or any other organization that serves the homeless in our area.

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