Jane Sublett

Ilma Jane Mitchell was born on January 24, 1927. She was the first child of Julia and Manse Mitchell. Named for both her grandmothers, she was destined to be the boss. Her parents would have four more children; but Jane took to heart her mother’s admonition…”Y’all mind Jane. She’s the oldest”. The Mitchell children were raised at Chapel Hill Church, and McMahan’s Chapel; baptized at Teeger (true name Tigré) Creek. Jane was a lifelong Methodist.

Jane died on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at Stonecreek Care Center in San Augustine.

Jane attended school at Rosevine as far as it went, then enrolled at San Augustine where she graduated in 1944. After graduation, Jane took a job working for Curg Ford’s jukebox business. Nolan Miller’s dry cleaners was next door. It was there that she met her future husband, Henry Sublett. They were married on November 11, 1947. Two years later they welcomed their first child…with three more to come. Jane said many times that she “had four babies in five years.” Life was BUSY.

Jane and Henry lived away from San Augustine for a brief time; but moved back home to live in the Sublett house on Highway 21. There they raised their four children in the ranching life they both loved. Jane supported her own children, and many others, in Four H Club. She helped in all ways, including the concession stand and time-keeping, during the years of the Sublett rodeo arena. Jane was a full-time wife and mother until her youngest child started school.

At that time, Jane went to work at San Augustine Hospital. In the 22 years that she worked at the hospital, she made many friends from the employees to the patients to the doctors and nurses. Those friendships remained as long as the people lasted.

As the Mitchell siblings reached the stage of life when their children were grown, the traveling began. They all made many trips together all over the United States. Even after Henry’s death, and the death of another brother-in-law, the trips continued. The Mitchells enjoyed each other’s company! The stories of their travels are still laughed about today.

Jane’s last job was at the Gulf station at the traffic circle. Arriving early every morning, she greeted and often entertained the people who stopped in on their way to work. There was a coffee group who sat at the station every morning. Jane became a friend to every one of them.

One of Jane’s favorite pastimes was playing 42. For years, her 42 group met at her house on Tuesday evening….three or four tables….rarely missing a time! Those friends were very dear. It was a sad time when age and infirmity finally ended Tuesday Night 42. Jane never stopped missing it.

Jane loved ALL of her family! Her children, their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses, her siblings and their spouses, her nieces and nephews, and all the children who added to that family. It was Jane’s house where they all gathered. She loved having them there! It is a rare thing for a woman’s great nieces and nephews to know her, and to still go to see her. That is what Jane inspired.

Jane was a unique soul! She was Sister to her siblings, Spooty to Henry, Nanny to her grandchildren, Aunt Jane to her many nieces and nephews, and Miss Jane to so many friends. She was the Bell Cow and the Keeper of the Fly Swatter. There was no one quite like her!

Jane was predeceased by her parents; her youngest brother, Drew; her husband; her eldest son, Phil; her sister, Marcelle; brother-in-law Lynn Burk; and brother-in-law G.W. Woods.

Jane is survived by her devoted daughter Molly; her son Steve and wife Vanda; her son Joe and wife Christine; and her son’s widow, Vicky; her sister Sue Burk; her brother Buzzy Mitchell and wife LaVerne.

She is also survived by four grandchildren: Brandon, Angela and husband Trampas, Exa and husband Pepper, Christopher and wife Lauren. Jane is survived by great-grandchildren: Jayden, Keagon, Alex, Avery, Trampas II, Kyann and husband Bo, Riggin and wife Jannah, Emery, Kinley, and Austin. Jane is survived by one great-great-grandchild: Ridge Henry.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 11, 2025, at her home on Hwy. 21.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the Sublett Family Cemetery, located at 2335 Hwy. 21 East, with Pastor Tim Turner, Angela Sublett Rodell, and Charles Sharp officiating.

Pallbearers: Brandon Sublett, Christopher Sublett, Trampas Rodell, Pepper Melton, Mitch Woods, Spencer Burk, Drew Burk, and Gary Mitchell. 

Visit www.wymanrobertsfh.com for memories and condolences.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home in San Augustine.

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