Jane Ballentine

Jane Jones Ballentine, 86, died Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013 at her home. She was born Oct. 3, 1927 in Rockwood to the late Frank and Emma (Suddath) Jones. She was also preceded in death by her husband Jere Ballentine and her grandson Casey Jones Ballentine. Jane was a graduate of Harriman High School Class of 1945. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville and her Masters degree in English from the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga. She taught English in Roane County schools before moving to Dayton. A resident of Dayton for the past 41 years, she was an English teacher and department head at Rhea County High School for many years, before retiring in 1994. One of her earliest positions was with the Manhattan Project at the Oak Ridge Laboratories. She was a member of the Dayton Garden Club, Kappa Delta Sorority, Delta Kappa Gamma, Readers Club, former board member of Rhea of Sunshine and the Y.M.C.A., First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, the church's History Committee and Library Committee, Rhea County Library Board, and was a Hospice of Chattanooga volunteer for 10 years. She is survived by her son Jeff (Luanne) Ballentine, of Ooltewah and daughter Amy Ballentine, of Dayton; two granddaughters Emily Suddath Ballentine and Mattie Kay Ballentine, both of Ooltewah. A memorial service for Jane will be held Monday Dec. 9, at 5 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Dayton with her pastor Rev. Ken Pierce officiating. The family will receive friends Monday from 3-5 p.m. at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga or to the Children's Miracle Network. Please share your memories of Jane on her on-line guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com. The family is being served by the Vander wall Funeral Home in Dayton.