Juanita Ruth Plumb, 101, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 22 at Oconee Hospital, Seneca, S. C. She is survived by children Christina (Torres), Charles “Rick”, Kimberly (Cahill), and Stephen; son-in-laws Mark Torres and Robert Cahill; grandchildren Laura, Evan, Danielle, and Addison; and great-grandson Wyatt. She lived a long, prosperous life filled with an abundance of love and happiness. In addition to spending time with family and friends, Juanita enjoyed traveling, cooking, reading, playing cards (especially Bridge), and watching University of Michigan football (GO BLUE!)

Juanita was born on the family farm in Center Ridge, Kansas on January 12, 1925 to Frank and Alma (Evans) Vice. There was no running water or electricity. She attended Yates Center High School at age 14 as a boarding student, and worked for her room and board by cooking, cleaning, and checking school papers. Juanita met future husband Charles (Dick) Plumb in high school, where they worked together on the school newspaper and starred as romantic leads in the junior play. Juanita trained to be a teacher at Emporia State University then moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan to be near Dick, who was in Officer’s Training School at the University of Michigan (U of M) during World War II. When Juanita was rejected by the Marines (because she weighed only 95 pounds), she continued her education at U of M. She married Dick on June 25, 1945.

The Plumbs continued to live in Michigan for 46 years. In addition to being a wonderful housewife and mother, Juanita worked as a social worker, teacher, real estate agent, and entertainer supporting Dick’s business associates. She was an active leader in the Episcopal Church, served as president of the local U of M club, and led an active social life. In 1991, Juanita and Dick retired to Salem, S.C., where they built their “dream home” on Lake Keowee. They later moved to Stone Mountain, Ga., where they lived until returning to Seneca, S.C., in 2020 to be closer to family. The Plumbs celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary on June 25, 2021 prior to Dick’s death on May 8, 2022.

The family plans a memorial service for both Juanita and Dick at Calvary Episcopal Church, Yates Center Kansas on Saturday, May 23, 2026. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Calvary Episcopal Church (PO Box 214, Yates Center, KS 66783-0214) or to the University of Michigan (giving.umich.edu).

Brown Funerals is assisting the family.