Jimmy Lee "Jim Bob" Planter

Jimmy Lee Planter, affectionately known as "Jim Bob" to his friends and family, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2025, at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital in Onancock, Virginia. Born on July 25, 1954, in the close-knit community of Temperanceville, Virginia, Jim Bob was a man whose presence was as comforting as the familiar landscapes of his hometown.
The son of the late James Elroy Planter and Lillie Matilda Harmon White, Jim Bob was a man who inherited a legacy of resilience and an enduring love for the Eastern Shore of Virginia. He attended Accomack County Public Schools, where he formed friendships and memories that would last a lifetime.
In 1974, Jim Bob answered the call of duty and served his country in the United States Army. Although his military service was brief, ending in 1975, it was a period of his life that he spoke of with pride and a sense of accomplishment. After his service, he returned to his roots in Virginia and began a career in the seafood industry, where he became a respected figure in the local crabbing community. His hard work and dedication to his craft were evident to all who knew him.
Jim Bob's interests were simple yet deeply ingrained in the fabric of his daily life. He was a faithful listener of WESR radio, where he enjoyed listening to the local happenings and music that spoke to the heart of the Eastern Shore. His afternoons were often spent in the company of his favorite soap operas, a pastime that brought him much joy and relaxation.
Those who knew Jim Bob will remember him as a man of few words but of profound integrity and kindness. His gentle demeanor and easy smile were a source of comfort to many, and his willingness to lend a helping hand was unmatched.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandmother, Ruby Harmon; sister, Bernadine Townsend; niece, Kirston Planter; nephew, Troy Planter, Sr.; and half-sisters, Shawn N. Planter and Renee Ellis.
He leaves to cherish his loving memory his sisters, Brenda Planter of Parksley, VA and Rosemary Tull of Atlantic, VA; brother, Bruce Planter of Granville, NY; half-brother, Eddie Planter of Bridgeton, NJ; cousins who were like his daughters, Monique McDowell of Severn, MD and Kiesha "Tweet" Marshall of Mansfield, TX; special cousin, Diane Persinger of Glen Burnie, MD; uncle, Marion Harmon of Atlantic, VA; special friends, Elton Lee Sledge of Mappsville, VA, Alton Conner, Jr. of Onancock, VA, Richard Davis of Temperanceville, VA, and Brian Scarborough of Germany; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives, and friends. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Jimmy Lee "Jim Bob" Planter, please visit our Tree Store.