A Life Lived: Jane Dugger’s highest priorities were family, church, community

Published 11:12 am Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Jane Dugger was one of those people who endeared herself to others. She was spunky, and enjoyed laughing. A caregiver wrote on the funeral home tribute page that “her smile could light up the room.”

Jane, the widow of Atty. George Dugger Jr., died April 1 at Ivy Hall Nursing Home at the age of 88. She had only been at Ivy Hall one week. Prior to that she had lived at Sycamore Springs Assisted Living for four and one-half years, of which two and one-half years were spent in the memory center.

“Mom suffered from dementia, but had a very good attitude. She was most agreeable all through her illness,” Mark shared.

In addition to her husband, Jane was preceded in death by her daughter, Atty. Kathryn Dugger.

Mark described his mother as a housewife of the ’50s and ’60s era. “She took care of the house, her family, and everything else that needed to be done,” he said. Jane did all these things and did them well, but she was also a registered nurse. She had worked at the old Carter County Memorial Hospital, Appalachian Healthcare, and served as school nurse for Elizabethton City Schools.

Mark described his mother as a very caring person, who was very supportive of her husband and children. “We came first in her life. But, she seemed to find time to do all the other things she enjoyed. She was very involved in her church at First United Methodist. She was faithful in her attendance and was in charge of decorations for the church, such as the flowers,” he said.

Jane was also active in a number of civic organizations, including the Friends of the Library, the Book Club, Women’s Civic Club, and the Garden Club. No doubt her love of reading led her to the Book Club and involvement in the Friends of the Library.

“She and some of her closest friends had a Birthday Club. When one of them had a birthday, they would dress up and go out and celebrate each other’s birthday,” Mark said. “She enjoyed her friends, and she was not at a loss for friends. They were special to her,” Mark shared.

“Mom was a very caring person. In addition to her family, she took care of her mother, and helped raise a niece. She was very supportive of me and my sister, and my children. She took time to attend school activities and my football and baseball games and my sister’s volleyball and basketball games,” Mark  said.

In addition to reading, Jane enjoyed cooking for her family and working with flowers. “She was very talented. She could sew, do cross stitch, and she especially enjoyed caring for people. If they were sick, she would visit them, often cooking something for them. She had such a big and loving heart,” her son shared.

“My mom was the perfect mother. She was very supportive, giving and loving. She was there for all of us. We came first in her life. We all looked to her for advice,” Mark said.

It’s true as someone has said, “Life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a mother.” I’m sure Mark Dugger will agree. Jane Dugger was her husband and children’s biggest supporters.