Jane Wise

Leona Jane Teager Wise passed Tuesday at her home after a 6-year crusade with acute leukemia but with abundant quality of life during that time.

Jane was born March 25, 1933 to the parents of Elmer and Marietta Roberts Jones. She grew up on the family farm on Lower Kenney in Lewis County, Kentucky (KY) centered with faith, family and friends.

She was married in May 1950 to Omer Davis Teager (OD) of Vanceburg and they began their married life together in Miamisburg, Ohio (OH).  They were blessed with two daughters, Jackie Lynn Teager Jones (Doug) of Morehead and Janet Lee Teager Ryan (Tim) of Lexington.  She is also survived by her granddaughter, Amy Jones Timoney (David) of Lexington and her 8-month-old great grandson, Brendan, who brought much joy to her life.  She was not just their mother and grandmother, but also the best friend to her daughters, granddaughter and in laws that one could possibly have.

In Miamisburg, the family had an active life involved with their Trinity United Church of Christ family and missions of youth, hospitality and many community and school support activities.  Jane was known as an excellent golfer at the NCR golf course and enthusiast of all things related to sports.  They enjoyed playing bridge, all card games and any competitive games.  Jane was a professional, a wonderful mother, wife and Christian friend to all.  She enjoyed her many years serving in various capacities at the Monsanto Mound Laboratory in Miamisburg, OH.

Her husband, OD Teager, passed unexpectedly at the age of 42 and she was a widow at the age of 36.  With Jane’s fortitude and independent spirit, her daughters were inspired by her guidance as their role model.

James O. (Jim) Wise and Jane were married in September 1973 at Trinity United Church, where they continued to live in Miamisburg, along with his daughters Lisa Curtis of Denton, Texas, Diana Mobley (Guy) and Elizabeth Hartzog (Doug) both of Summerville South Carolina.  The grandchildren are Becky and Beth Curtis, Jake and Madison McLane and Harper and Sheppard Mobley.

Following their mutual retirement, they relocated to Cookeville, Tennessee, where they purchased lovely lake front property on Center Hill Lake, but early retirement was not typical of their life force.  Combined with their entrepreneurial spirit, Jane’s sense of culinary skills and hospitality, Jim built Hummingbird Hill Bed and Breakfast, which was highly rated by guests from all over the region. They were very active members of the Baxter Memorial United Methodist Church in many areas of service while in Tennessee.  They retired and relocated to Morehead, KY, where they enjoyed Cave Run Lake and their many friends.  They were active members of First Baptist Church of Morehead.  Jane served as a volunteer at Christian Social Services, VBS and the FBC Hospitality Committee.  Jane was a member of four bridge clubs and delighted in the challenge with her keen sense of competition but especially the many special relationships and ties developed.  She welcomed all into of her home and around her table was the place to be.

The family would like to express hearts of gratitude to Dr. Allen Lim and all staff at St. Claire Oncology for their steadfast love and support during the past six years as her extended, amazing family.

A graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens on Sunday, March 21 at 2:00 P.M. with the Reverend Lauren McDuffie serving as the officiant.

We encourage you to honor Jane in your own way in this unprecedented time, but if you will be attending the service, we ask that you wear your mask and practice safe social distancing.  As much as we would enjoy your loving hugs and embrace, we will refrain for this moment, with hopes to do so in the near future.

Should you feel moved to contribute to a cause she held dear, please consider donating to her favorite charities in Jane’s memory.

First Baptist Church Morehead, 123 Main Street Morehead, KY 40351

St. Claire Oncology Department, 222 Medical Circle Morehead, KY 40351

Christian Social Services Center, 1446 E Main, Morehead, KY 40351

The service will not be live streamed.  However, it will be recorded and available to view on this obituary page.

The Michael R. Gray Funeral Home in Morehead is caring for all arrangements.