Bessie "Bettie" Cleo Simmons' Obituary
Bessie “Bettie” Cleo Simmons was born October 20, 1944, in Dixon, Tennessee. She spent her childhood in an all-girls Catholic orphanage, where she developed the strength, resilience, and compassion that became the foundation of her life.
One of Bettie’s favorite childhood memories was when the children would mow the grass and, every other week, earn a single bottle of Coca-Cola as a reward. She carried that memory throughout her life, and her well-known love of Coca-Cola became a sweet reminder that even small moments can hold great joy.
Bettie was married to James Simmons for 29 years prior to his passing in 2018. She was one of seven children and, along with her husband, was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Nulty, Mattie Patton, and Patsy Northcutt. She is survived by her siblings, Douglas Ahlheit, George Maynard, and Georgia Maynard.
Family was the center of Bettie’s world and is lovingly survived by her four children; fourteen grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren, each of whom experienced her unconditional love, humor, and welcoming spirit.
Bettie had a special way of making everyone feel at home. It was not unusual for someone to enter her life as a guest and quickly become family. Over the years, she opened her home to numerous exchange students, caring for them as her own and forming lifelong bonds. Many remember her not only for her kindness, but for the way she paid attention to the little details - making sure everyone was comfortable, well-fed, and felt deeply cared for.
Bettie found joy in both adventure and simple pleasures. She loved to travel and held a special appreciation for German culture and traditions. At home, she was just as content working word search puzzles, playing solitaire, or spending time with loved ones. She was affectionately known for always keeping an abundance of toilet paper stocked and even gifting it at Christmas. Family and friends often smiled at this tradition, but Bettie was simply making sure the people she loved would never be without something she considered essential. It was one of the many small, thoughtful, and quietly funny ways she showed her love.
Her life was deeply rooted in her faith and love for Jesus. Bettie was a devoted member of Fellowship Bible Church, where she faithfully served in Celebrate Recovery, Mosaic Ministries, and sang in the church choir for many years. She loved worship music and could often be found singing her favorite church songs in the car, turning everyday drives into moments of praise.
True to her joyful and lighthearted spirit, Bettie personally chose to be laid to rest in pajamas, ready to meet Jesus. In honor of her wishes, her service will be celebratory in nature, and guests are encouraged to wear their favorite pajamas or colorful attire as they gather to remember her life, her laughter, and her unwavering love.
Her family finds comfort in the promise of Matthew 25:23, “Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Lord.”
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts honoring the memory of Bessie Simmons may be directed to Arkansas Children’s Hospital at https://archildrens.org/donate.
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