Jane K. Sumner

Jane Kimmey Sumner, 94, of Bowie passed away on January 27, 2019 at Anne Arundel Medical Center. She was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, W. Franklin Sumner, in 2016. They were among the first settlers in the Somerset section of Belair at Bowie and Jane resided there for over 57 years.

Born in Westminster, MD, she was the youngest of three daughters of the late Claude T. and Anna Mae Kimmey. She graduated from Westminster High School in 1941. Jane attended Western Maryland College. She left after two years to serve the war effort by working in a land mine factory. She later worked at the Times Printing Company in Westminster as a proofreader and took information for newspaper ads which is how she met a tall, handsome Ralston Purina salesman named Frank.

After a five-month courtship Jane and Frank were married. It took nine years for them to become parents, but once parenthood began it lasted through the lives of their three children and the guardianship of their first grandson.

Jane devoted her life to caring for her family, maintaining connections with friends and family by sending cards and writing letters, and serving at Christian Community Presbyterian Church (CCPC) to which she belonged for over 50 years. In 2005, Jane was presented an Honorary Life Membership by the Presbyterian Women CCPC.  

Jane also had a love for music which began even before birth as her family gathered around the upright piano in the living room to harmonize. She made her solo “debut” in church at age four singing, “In My Heart There Rings a Melody”. Jane majored in music in college. She sang with the Bel Canto Singers and in the CCPC Chancel Choir.

She will be remembered for her love of family, perseverance through challenges, sense of humor and being young at heart. She enjoyed traveling especially by motor home, NCIS and vanilla ice cream.

Jane is survived by a daughter, Patricia Jane Sumner & husband Charles Mangano and a son, William Kimmey Sumner & wife Sandy; six grandchildren: Christopher Franklin Sumner & wife Katharine, Shawn O’Quinn, Jessica O’Quinn, Kimberly Miller & husband Curtis, Tyler Sumner & fiancée Whitney Burke and Zachary Sumner & wife Jayne; five great-grandchildren: Cynthia, Destiny, Chase, Darrow and Lillian; one niece and two nephews and their children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Ann L. Sumner, and two sisters, Eleanor Kimmey Rader and Ruth Anna Kimmey.

Viewings are scheduled for Thursday, February 7, 2019 from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm at the Beall Funeral Home, Bowie, MD. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 11am at Christian Community Presbyterian Church, 3120 Belair Drive, Bowie, MD 20715. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name to Christian Community Presbyterian Church will be appreciated.