Ms. Sarah Carmelite Simmons Ballinger

She was born in Beaumont, Texas on October 8, 1930. She grew up in Chattanooga and traveled a lot with her husband while he was in the Air Force.

Sarah was preceded in death by her parents, Charles G. and Emily S. Simmons, a brother, James A. Simmons, and her husband, Walter A. (Corky) Ballinger.

She was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church and a former member of the Lamp Lighters of the Agricultural Extension. She retired from Team Evaluation Center.

Sarah loved to work in her flower garden, work with crafts and enjoy the company of her many friends. Her greatest love was for her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and William Long and Karyl Claiborne and Robert Thompson; four grandchildren, Zachary S. Long and Mikayla S. Long, Katie Claiborne and husband, Robert Helmandollar of Greensboro, NC and Justin Claiborne of Seattle, WA..

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Winston Caine and Debbie and the Doctors and Staff at Erlanger Hospital, also Hospice Care Center, especially Sherrie Crumley and Linda Thomasson, for their kind and compassionate care of Sarah during her illness.

Services will be held 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 21, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Brother Ron Fender officiating. Burial will be at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 4 until 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 2411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416.

Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist, North Chapel. Share your memories on line at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.