Eleanor Jimmie Miller Pletta

Eleanor “Jimmie” Miller Pletta, 87 of Clemson, SC passed away on November 25th, 2023 at the Cottingham Hospice House in Seneca, SC.

Jimmie was born on July 5, 1936 to James Walter Miller and Martha Margaret Smith Miller in Pearisburg, Va. She grew up in Pembroke, VA as the oldest of 4 children and the only girl. She loved sports and played basketball in high school. While attending Radford College, she met the love of her life, William H. “Bill” Pletta on a blind date while he was attending the nearby Virginia Tech University. They were married for 60 years and had three children. She was a career teacher, starting out in Physical Education. After living in Blacksburg, VA, Charleston WV, Clinton IA, and Kingsport, TN; they moved to Seneca, SC in the summer of 1976. Jimmie took a position at Westminster High as a P.E. teacher, volleyball coach, and advisor to the student council. Later she moved to West Oak High and continued to advise the student council as well as teaching math and working in administration as a vice principal of the school. Jimmie’s claim to fame is that while she advised the student council they were undefeated in the statewide scrapbook competition for approximately 25 years straight.

Jimmie enjoyed traveling, quilting, sports, and being in the company of her family and friends. Although she learned to quilt later in life, she became quite proficient and even won a few competitions. The quilts she made for family members to celebrate important occasions like a marriage or the birth of a child continue to be treasured. She was often described by others as kind, patient, supportive, and nurturing.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Stanley Miller, brother Steven Miller, son Kevin Harry Pletta, mother-in-law Dorothea Pletta, and her husband Bill. She is survived by her sister-in-law Carol Schoner, son Bryan Pletta, daughter-in-law Cristina Radu, daughter Leslie Pletta-Smith, son-in-law Timothy Smith, and granddaughter Rachel Smith.

A memorial service will be held at University Lutheran Church in Clemson, SC on Thursday, November 30th at 6:00 p.m. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Jimmie’s name are made to University Lutheran Church or the Cottingham Hospice House.