Jane Elizabeth Scates Sims Tanner was born on February 22, 1928, and died on April 26, 2025. She knew she was at the end of this journey, and she was living each moment in joyful anticipation of Heaven. She thoroughly enjoyed her last few weeks surrounded by people she loved and who loved her, reviewing memories, looking at pictures, listening to music, and singing along. She was blessed by a stream of visits from friends and family and was ready to meet her Savior and the loved ones who had gone before her.

Jane was preceded in death by her husbands, Jack B Sims and Dr. Matthias (Matt) Tanner, by her brother, Gerald Scates and his wife, Pauline, by her parents Bryan Dewey and Mary Scates, as well as her son-in-law, Doug Fletcher.

Jane is survived by her children, Tom Sims (Andrea) of California, Jan Fletcher, and John Sims of Richmond, her grandchildren, Lauren Sanchez, Kyle Fletcher (Kayla), Sarah Lynn Sims, Richard Sims, and Jesse Sims, her great-grandson, Kabian Sims and her nephew Paul Scates (Susan) as well as numerous nieces and nephews by marriage, her stepsons, Rick and Scot Tanner, and her cousins.

Jane was a 1945 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School and a “Richmonder” through and through. She taught her children, “I’m Richmond born, and Richmond bred, and when I die, I’ll be Richmond dead.”

She had a dry wit and a keen sense of humor. Many animals were a part of her family. Her last pets were Mutley, Scruffy, Cheerios, and Phil. Every single one was important to her. Her bosses were all a special part of her life. (She even married one of them at the age of 80). Mary Hunter, Edna Francis Dawkins, Dr. Ed Harris, Dr. Matt Tanner, and Dr. Paul Spector… those who say that your boss will never find a place in your obituary never knew our mother.

Jane studied and played both the piano and organ and sang in church choirs, loving church music and, really, all music for her whole life. She was a popular Sunday School teacher who prepared with great care and an extraordinary scholarship for every lesson. She applied her keen intellect, love of reading, spiritual depth, and passion for excellence to every assignment.

Jane was a writer of prose, of poetry, and of church history and biography. She authored several church histories and a short book about two pastors named “Aubrey” who were profoundly influential in her life, Dr. R. Aubrey Williams and Dr. Aubrey (Buddy) Rosser who, with his wife, Ann was both a close personal friend of Jack and Jane and their pastors.

Reading and writing were both important in her life. She chose to read challenging books in a variety of areas: theology, psychology, spirituality, biography, history, fiction, politics, and biblical studies. She had good taste in writers and loved to discuss things she had recently read.

Throughout the years, she forged life-long friendships with people, like her best friend from youth, Barbara Walters. She loved good, in-depth discussions with her peer groups, could be persuaded to express her opinion, and could still love those who disagreed with her. She enjoyed cards and her bridge clubs. She seemed to remember most of the people she met and, especially, their stories. Lakewood was a perfect last home and community for her. She received such good care and made many very good friends.

For over forty years, she was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church and another forty of Southampton Baptist Church. Along the way, she was also a member of Sunset Hills Baptist Church, Monument Heights Baptist Church, and Woodland Heights Baptist Church. She was also a valued member of the online church pastored by her son, Tom, The Fellowship of Joy (Baptist Temple).

As a teenager and earlier, Jane taught children at church, was a leader in a city-wide issues forum sponsored by the church, was editor of her high school literary magazine, and active in a number of clubs. This was a prediction of her future. Whatever she did in church or community, she tended to emerge as a leader. As an adult, she was active in the P.T.A. community organizations and whatever activities her children pursued.

She was a deacon at Southampton and served in numerous leadership positions. As a deacon, she took her pastoral care responsibilities seriously and, even as a senior adult at Lakewood, enjoyed visiting the sick and encouraging other people. Her prayer list was long, and she shared it with people she knew would join her in prayer.

Jane was the “Avon lady” of her neighborhood, a Tupperware dealer, and an original yard sale host. Coming to adulthood in the forties and fifties, she loved all things modern like Toni Home Permanents and their parties, frozen foods, and, later, following the fashion trends of Jackie Kennedy.

She was a thinker who encouraged us to think out of the box and question the status quo. She taught us all that essence of Christian ethics and morality was to love our neighbor as ourselves. She modeled that and believed it should govern all levels of life of society. She challenged us to read some controversial books which Tom read. Most notably, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Black Like Me,” and the Bible.

She could get very animated when she talked about her views. In later years, her husband Matt knew how to push a button, get her going, and sit back and enjoy her speech with a grin on his face.

Her mother, Mary, was a suffragette, a career woman and a devoted Christ-follower. Her mother’s mother was an early member of the Women’s Christian Temperence. Jane came from a long line of strong and outspoken women and from a strong, steady and committed Christian father. She was always close to her brother.

Jane graduated from Richmond Professional Institute (Now Virginia Commonwealth University) majoring in Liberal Arts and Journalism. In 1982 she received her Bachelor of Science degree from V.C.U.

Prior to marriage, Jane worked at the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention where she was mentored by a great woman, Edna Francis Dawkins. She also met people like the missionary martyr, Dr. Bill Wallace, and missionary statesman, Dr. Theoren Rankin. After her kids grew up, she went to work for several psychiatry/psychology practices, taught herself medical billing/coding, and learned to manage a medical office. People enjoyed confiding in her as they waited for their doctors, and she maintained their confidentiality.

Being a son or daughter of Jane was always a goodwill door-opener. She was always held in high regard. Her kindness, efficiency, and pleasant demeanor were among the hallmarks of her life.

Jane overcame some physical challenges and illnesses beginning in the 1980s and beyond that would have grounded many people. However, she persisted in living and thriving. Her faith and interest in life drove her on in spite of physical pain.

She was married to our father, Jack, from 1954 until his death in 1995. Together, they were committed parents and loving grandparents. Our father was a sales professional and entrepreneur, and they shared life and ministry together. They were able to achieve their dream of a cottage at the river and then, another where they enjoyed entertaining family and friends. As our father was dying at home, she gave him great attentive care.

Mom and Dad’s friend; Matt lost his wife about the same time and Jane and Matt started eating soup and attending church together. One day, Jane called her son in California to come to Richmond and conduct a semi-clandestine wedding. He said, “It’s about time” and made the trip.

Jane and Matt had six wonderful years together until he passed away. Matt’s sons Rick and Scot were very special to her. Our whole family loved, admired, and appreciated Matt.

When asked if she might find another love at Lakewood, she said, “I’ve had two good husbands. I am done.”

Our sister Jan was such a strong support to our mom as were her children. Jane loved and nurtured all of her children and taught us the meaning of unconditional love and support. She was always interested in news of her grandchildren and great grandson. She was so surprised and delighted when her son, John, moved back to Richmond from Arizona after many years. His presence was a comfort to her.

Mom and our father instilled in us, the value of family. We always felt secure in our family’s love. We knew that even if we did the wrong thing, we would still have that love. We understood that we would have to face the consequences of all our decisions, but that nothing could ever threaten our love for each other.

Mom taught us to love God and to love people. She taught it in words and in action. She taught us to laugh, pray, dream, and think. Her life was a gift to us and to the world. She will be missed.

A memorial service will be held at Lakewood Retirement Community, 1900 Lauderdale Drive. Richmond, VA 23238 (Phone: (804) 729-5563) on Monday, May 12, at 3:00 EST. The Rev. Julie Gaines Walton officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lakewood employee gift and/or benevolent fund https://lifespireliving.org/give/make-a-donation-virginia/ or Baptist Temple Church (The Fellowship of Joy), https://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/ 12638 Cumorah Dr., Clovis, CA. 93619.