Jane P. Gordon was born in River Falls, Alabama in 1923 and later moved with her family to Red Level. She was valedictorian of her class at Red Level High School.

In 1940 Jane traveled alone by bus to the University of Alabama. The bus driver carried her suitcase and walked her safely to the door of Tutwiler Hall. At the University she met and, in 1943, married A. Pope Gordon. World War II intervened. When Pope returned from active duty, he completed law school and she graduated with a membership in Phi Beta Kappa and a BA degree.

After college Jane and Pope came to Montgomery. In Montgomery she worked with the Veteran's Administration, the US Attorney's Office, and later with the Clerk's Office of the United States District Court for the middle District of Alabama. In 1971 Jane was appointed Clerk of the Court for the Middle District of Alabama, the first woman to hold that office. In fact, Mrs. Gordon was one of the first female USDC Clerks of Court in the nation. She retired in 1983.

Jane was a member of the DAR, serving a term as Regent of the Francis Marion Chapter. She was active in various organizations, among them the Alabama Historical Research Society, the Montgomery Chamber Music Organization, and was a long time member of First Baptist Church.