Jessie Terry Sumner

Jessie Teresa (Terry) (Plapp) Sumner, our beloved mother, passed away peacefully in Beaverton, Oregon, on October 18, 2025, at the age of 96.

Born in 1929 at Jones Hospital in Hillsboro, Oregon, to Ernest and Daisy Plapp, Terry spent most of her life in the area.

She graduated from Hillsboro High School and worked at the local shake shop before embarking on a career as an Office Stenographer in downtown Portland. After marrying Stanley Shelley, she later married Robert (Bob) Sumner and raised a large and loving family. Terry, a remarkable mother and homemaker, was also a gifted artist, creating a painting daily. She was an accomplished and published poet, passionate about reading and exploring different places and cultures, often capturing faraway scenes in her poems as well as her paintings.

Terry's home was always a warm and inviting haven, where she prepared delicious home-cooked meals and welcomed friends, family, and those in need. She stayed young by riding her bike daily, dancing, and laughing frequently. Terry made our Christmases truly magical, never missed a birthday with a homemade birthday cake, and even though we didn't have much, we never felt it. She had a special fondness for pets and animals, and a sweet dog was always by her side, usually in her colorful rose and vegetable garden. Terry also made a point to attend every high school reunion until her stroke in 2010, proudly bringing her family members with her. Terry lived a full and beautiful life, cherished for her unwavering devotion to her family, her boundless love for life, and her fiery spirit.

Terry is survived by her six children: Sandra Lehman, Dan Shelley, Robin (Lynn) Gray, Bambi Sumner, Barbara (Ken) Sumner Mah, and Robert (Bobby) Sumner. She also has eight grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at Fir Lawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Hillsboro on Friday, October 31, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. with a memorial gathering afterward.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bonnie Hayes at 503-846-7041.