Mrs. Barbara Francis Simmons

Mrs. Barbara Francis Simmons, age 78 passed away January 8, 2016 at Woltz Hospice Home. She was born March 30, 1937 in Mount Airy, NC. Mrs. Simmons was the daughter of John Herbert and Dora Joyce Francis, who preceded her in death. She retired in 1990 after 30 years of service as a secretary at Bell Atlantic Inc. (Verizon) in Richmond, Virginia. She is survived by one son, John David Simmons of Midlothian, Virginia. She was a devoted member of Christ Community Church of Mount Airy, where she loved worshipping God and serving him with all her Church family. Other survivors are, a sister, Lena Francis Gordon of King, a brother, Ray Francis (Sandra) of Pilot Mountain, sisters-in-law, Ruth Francis and Norma Francis both of Mount Airy; brother-in-law, Ronda Smith of Stokesdale. Also surviving are three nieces, Donna Rutledge, Sharon Francis and Kathy Craft; five nephews, Mike Francis, Tommy Francis, Dwight Francis, Keith Smith, and Kevin Smith; seven great nieces; nine great nephews; and a stepbrother-in-law, John W. Prather of Jacksonville, FL. Mrs. Simmons was preceded in death by the father of her children, Reid Alton Simmons, and one son, Reid Alton Simmons, Jr. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by two brothers, Wade C. Francis and Don Lloyd Francis; two sisters, Ruby Francis Smith and Ann Francis Everhart; a niece Deborah Sue Francis and a nephew Billy Ray Francis; her step father-in-law and mother-in-law, John W. and Fay Johnson Prather. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the 2:00 PM funeral service at Christ Community Church on Sunday January 10, 2016. Committal will follow at Skyline Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Dr. David j. Brady will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to Christ Community Church of Mount Airy, PO Box 1263, Mount Airy, NC 27030 OR to Mountain Valley Hospice, 401 Technology Lane Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Woltz Hospice Home and especially to Sharon, Tina, and Jessica for the tender love and care shown to Mrs. Simmons.

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