Betty Irene Mears Simmons

Mrs. Betty Irene Mears Simmons, 93, of 312 Massey Road, Mount Airy, passed away Tuesday morning, March 12, 2013, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. Mrs. Simmons was born January 3, 1920, in Patrick County, VA, one of nine children born to the late Joseph and Annis Pruitt Mears. Betty retired from Kentucky Derby Hosiery after 57 years of service and was a member of Mount Airy Church of God. She is survived by her children, James Twain and Kaye Simmons of Stanley, Pat and Roger Leonard and Randall and Linda Simmons, all of Mount Airy, and the Rev. J.D. and Vikki Simmons of Wilmington; a son-in-law, Doug Nichols of Mount Airy; ten grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; three sisters, Pauline Mears Jackson, Mary Mears White, and Sally Mears, all of Mount Airy; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Simmons was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey Roosevelt "Bill" Simmons; a daughter, Shirley Ann Simmons Nichols; two sisters, Louise Mears Cockerham and Lois Mears Long; and three brothers, Tom Mears, Ramey Mears, and Claude Mears. The funeral service will be held Friday, March 15, 2013, at 2:00 PM at Mount Airy Church of God, with the Rev. Charles Powers, Dr. David Sparks, the Rev. J.D. Simmons, and the Rev. Don Whichard officiating. Burial will follow in the Holly Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 12:00 noon until 2:00 PM at Mount Airy Church of God. The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to everyone for their prayers, visits, cards, food, words of comfort, and acts of kindness during Betty's sickness and since her passing. It means so much that you have expressed your love for Betty in these caring ways. The family also appreciates the Christian witness of the Pentecostal Holiness Church for the love and concern of Betty and her family during this difficult time. Also, special thanks is extended to the staff of Golden Living Center, the staff of the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, and the staff of Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care for the love and compassionate care given to Betty during her sickness. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.