Jane Plonk Sims died on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in a local hospital.
She was born on Long Island, NY, grew up in the Druid Hills suburb of Atlanta, but called the Chattanooga area home for over 45 years. Jane was the daughter of Zeb and Gale Plonk, the youngest of three children which included brothers, Col. Don Plonk (US Army retired) and Glenn Plonk.
Her father’s princess, she epitomized a true Southern lady while also chasing after her brothers who excelled in sports and academics. Before she graduated high school, her parents moved to Wellesley, MA where her father established in her a life-long love for the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics and New England Clam Chowder which she passed down to her children and grandchildren.
Jane graduated from Gamaliel Bradford Senior High School then returned to the South to attend Tennessee Technological University where she studied to become a teacher. A voracious reader, she consumed one to two books a day for most of her life. This led her first to work in a used book store then open her own store, The Book Stop, on Hixson Pike for 13 years. After closing her store, Jane continued working at Sears in Northgate Mall.
Her love of sports drew her not only to attend, but to cheer boisterously and shamelessly for her children and grandchildren who called her Nana. Everyone knew Nana was there, especially the coaches and referees. Her competitiveness extended to playing bridge, both online and the Chattanooga Bridge Center.
Jane was a member of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church for over 45 years, and she sang in the choir for over 35 years where she assumed her perch on the third row in the choir loft and scoured the congregation to ensure her family was present. She loved Jesus Christ and lived a life of worship and service to her Savior.
Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Zeb and Gale Plonk of Kings Mountain, NC.
She is survived by her children, Jeff (Cheryl) of Signal Mountain, Jon (April) of Hixson, and Jennifer (Alan) Dunn of Dawsonville, GA; grandchildren, Bradley, Summer, Fletcher, Brady, Emma Jane, Molly, Maddie, Chance and Ryan; brothers, Don (Melba) Plonk and Glenn (Anne) Plonk; brother-in-law, Fletcher (Nancy) Sims; sister-in-law, Margaret (Fred) Trainer; and countless nieces, nephews and extended family, and her dear lifetime friends, Dawn DeGalleford of Hixson, Judy Amonette of Cookeville, TN and countless others. Her loved ones look forward to a glorious reunion with her in the future.
The memorial service for Jane will be held at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jane’s honor may be made to Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, 612 James Blvd., Signal Mountain, TN 37377 to support its various ministries.
Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 404 South Moore Road.
Please share your condolences at www.chattanoogaeastchapel.com.