Eleanor Florence Simonton's Obituary
Eleanor Florence Simonton, age 98, of Rogers, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2024. She resided in Ottumwa, Iowa, for many years where her husband pastored at Davis Street Christian church.
She was born May 24, 1926, in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, to Edward and Dolores Irene Kilgore Richards. Eleanor married Cecil Irvin Simonton on December 28, 1946.
Eleanor grew up in Canada. After she graduated from High School and attended some nursing classes she met the love of her life, Cecil, who was stationed in Canada during WW II. The newlyweds moved to Enid, Oklahoma, where Cecil attended seminary and Eleanor took some college classes at Philips University. Later in life, she became an American citizen. Eleanor's life was a testament to the Christian faith, love, and devotion to family. She was the mother of 5 sons, a church choir director, a Sunday school teacher, a counselor at Christian summer camps, and a Director of Youth Ministry.
She enjoyed singing, sewing, knitting, gardening, quilting, and stained glass. Her love for singing led her to join the Sweet Adelines and compete internationally. Eleanor loved sewing so much she made costumes for others who could not sew. She grew raspberries at every house she lived in after marriage, giving away raspberry jam as presents. Her raspberries are now growing in 5 different states.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Dolores, and her siblings Ted Richards and Marguerite Hodges. She is survived by her loving husband Cecil and five sons: Wayne (Kristin) of Rogers, Arkansas; David (Ingrid) of Mt. Airy, Maryland; Tim (Susan) of Urbandale, Iowa; Tom (Neta) of McHenry, Illinois; and James (Kammy) of Columbus, Indiana. She is also survived by her sisters Olive Worsfold and Pat McInnes, both of Costa Rica, and her brother Gerry (Bernice) Richards of Stratford, Ontario, Canada, as well as her close sister-in-law Genevieve Collins of Topeka, Kansas. Eleanor leaves behind a lasting legacy carried on by her 22 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren all of whom will forever cherish her memory.
Inurnment will be in the columbarium at First Christian Church, Rogers, Arkansas, at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice in Eleanor’s name.
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