Marion-Clara “Faye” Simmons, 91, departed life at 12:25am on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
Faye was born in Creal Springs on June 23, 1923, the daughter of James O. and Nancy (Prim) Johns.
She married Jessie L. Simmons in 1946 and they enjoyed 46 years together until he preceded her in death on May 8, 1993. She later married J.R. Cox who preceded her in death in 2002.
Faye graduated from Marion High School and attended SIU for one year. After graduation she worked in Carbondale and Chicago for the United States Treasury Department and Pen and Pencil Eversharp. After the war, she returned home and married Jessie. She worked as a cosmetologist for many years in her shop on Maplewood Street in Marion. There she developed many lasting friendships.
Faye became a Christian at an early age. As a member of the Community of Christ Church in Tunnel Hill she worked in the family ministries since 1974. She was also a delegate and volunteer for the Goreville Ministerial Alliance. Her faith in God was unbreakable and she witnessed for her Savior at every opportunity. She firmly believed God was preparing a place for her.
Faye had a deep love for her family and her many friends. She enjoyed shopping and going out to eat with them. Her participation in the Birthday Club brought many opportunities to enjoy the celebration of birthdays and visit with those she loved.
Faye is survived by son, Michael L. Simmons of Goreville; step sons, Bill Cox (Kim) of Witt, IL and Jim Foster (Faye) of Nashville, TN; grandchildren, Timothy Simmons (Davie) of Roundup, MT, Gaylon M. Simmons and R.J. Simmons of Jonesboro and a “special” granddaughter, Ashley Upchurch of Jonesboro; three step grandchildren, Christopher, Alyssa and Annabelle of Roundup, MT. Also surviving are step brother, Glenn Phillips and step sister, Jeraldine Drew of New Burnside. Faye is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members that spans five generations. She loved each one dearly.
In addition to her parents and husbands, she is preceded in death by six brothers, Noah, Earl, Carl, Chester, Lester and Ernest Johns; two sisters, Ruth Johns and Willie Maye (Johns) Dunn; step sister, Violet Philips and step daughters, Jackie White and Nancy Hepler.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 11am at the Community of Christ Church in Tunnel Hill with High Priest Glenn Webb officiating. Burial will follow at Webb Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, May 22, 2015 from 5pm-8pm at the Blue Funeral Home in Goreville and on Saturday from 10am until the time of service at the church.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Community of Christ Church and will be accepted at Blue Funeral Home/ PO Box 411/ Marion, IL 62959 and at the church. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.bluefuneralhome.com