Mary Simmons
Mary Burns Shook Simmons of East Ridge, Tennessee, died peacefully at home on September 10, 2015.
Born Aug. 3, 1921, in Goosepond, Al., to Robert and Emma Shook, Mary grew up during the Great Depression, graduated valedictorian in 1940 from Jackson County High in Scottsboro, Al., and attended Auburn University. Mary worked for the Quartermaster Corps during WWII then taught school in Georgia and Tennessee. She was a faithful member of South Seminole Baptist for over 50 years, serving as assistant treasurer and teaching Sunday School. Mary also worked for the Hamilton County Department of Education, sold Tupperware, World Book Encyclopedias, and was treasurer for the East Ridge Band Boosters. Mary enjoyed painting ceramics, quilting ornaments, baking sour dough bread, Atlanta Braves baseball, Auburn football and made delicious spice cake with home made caramel icing.
Mary and Sam enjoyed traveling around the world after Sam’s retirement, but Mary loved nothing more than to have the house full of friends, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Favorite memories include her oldest grandsons camping in the basement every summer, Dylan earning his black belt, watching Alyssa sing and dance, and living long enough to enjoy her great-grandchildren. Mary was a loving and faithful friend, wife, mother, and grandmother.
Mary was preceded in death by husband, Sam G. Simmons, Sr., parents, Robert Burns Shook, Emma Hancock Shook, and sister, Sara Shook.
Survivors include children: Randy Bryson, Marty Simmons, Carole Simmons, Sam Simmons Jr, Linda Sue Runyeon (Ron); grandchildren, David Hekking (Rachel), Jonathan Bowers (Radmila), Jeff Hekking (Cindy), Dylan Simmons, Alyssa Runyeon; and great-grandchildren; Emma and Connor Hekking, Oliver and Dominik Bowers; siblings, Johnny Shook, Willie Smith, Bob Shook, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Visitation is on Sunday, Sept. 13, from 1-3 p.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel.
The funeral will follow at 3:30 p.m. at South Seminole Baptist Church.
Interment will be at National Cemetery in Chattanooga.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Goosepond Cemetery Fund, 1015 Garden Dr., Scottsboro, Al. 35768, Hospice Of Chattanooga, or South Seminole Baptist Church.
Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 404 South Moore Road.
Please share your condolences atwww.chattanoogaeastchapel.com.
Mary Simmons