Mary Ellen Simmons

Mary Ellen Simmons, 72, of Wilmington, NC died Saturday, August ­­­­12, 2023 at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington.  She was born December 15, 1950, in Lumberton, NC to the late John S and Ellen M Bateman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Jamie Stevens, and her brother John (“Joe”) Bateman, Jr.  Mary Ellen is survived by her husband Roger Simmons; son, Lyle Stevens and his wife Tatham and their children Layne, Parker, and LylaRose. She is also survived by a stepson, Rodrick Simmons and his wife Pam and children, Holly and Jack, and another stepson Ryan Simmons and his children Sophia and Clara. Also surviving her is her older brother Robert Bateman.

Mary Ellen grew up in Lumberton, NC.  After graduating from high school, she obtained an associate degree from Robeson Community College, and after practicing cosmetology for several years, later embarked on a multi -year banking career with Southern National Bank (now Truist Bank).  Later, she worked 16 years on the congressional staff of US Congressman, Mike McIntyre, addressing coastal, beach and constituent issues.

While in Lumberton, she met and married Jamie Stevens. After his death and 11 years of happy marriage, she later met her second true love, Roger Simmons. They have been happily married for 26 years.

Active in her community and church, she was a member of Pine Valley Methodist Church, former Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church of Lumberton, active member of the Pine Valley Methodist Church Women’s Circle, and a former member of the New Hanover Garden Club. Mary Ellen was also a very active member of Cape Fear Sail and Power Squadron, serving the organization in various roles for 18 years.

Mary Ellen enjoyed spending time on the beach and around water; she especially enjoyed her time cruising the Carolina coastal waters with Roger on their trawler “Happy Ours”. Later she developed a unique love for the mountains and relished her time spent at their home in West Jefferson, as she often referred to as her “little slice of Heaven”. Mary Ellen had many loves, but her greatest joy came from her love for her family. She was a dedicated mother and grandmother first and foremost. She cherished every minute she could spend with them. She was affectionately known as GranMary to all the kids and grandkids. Summer family vacations at the beach, grandkids soccer and football games, dance and gymnastics recitals were all part of her norm.

A memorial service will be held in Wilmington, NC on Friday, August 18 at 11:00 am at Pine Valley Methodist Church. The service will be preceded by a visitation at 10:00 am.  The service will be live streamed at: www.pvmc.life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trinity Grove, 631 Junction Creek Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28412 or to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401. Mary Ellen’s family extends their sincere thanks and gratitude for the exemplary care provided by these two organizations and their staff. They made her last days much brighter and comfortable, and for that they are extremely grateful.

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