Thelma I Simmons

She was born to parents Emmitt Johnson and Flora Lorine Johnson (Vance), on March 11, 1941 in Macks Creek, Missouri.

She attended a one room school house where she was often asked to teach the others when the teacher was absent. Thelma graduated from Macks Creek High School in 1958. She was voted class Salutatorian. She waitressed before marrying her husband and then stayed home to raise their children. She volunteered for a time in the Kansas City jail in the library. At one point in 1988 she got a job at McDonald’s just to make a point. While there, Thelma was honored as Employee of the Month because "She was Pam's Mom”.

Thelma met Bernie D Simmons in 1967. They were married on April 28th, 1969 in Miami, Oklahoma. Together they raised 5 children: Robert Lee Simmons (Deceased), Daniel Emmitt Simmons (Deceased), Kimberly Sue Stimson (North Kansas City), Michele Rene Russell (Excelsior Springs), and Pamela Ann Westbrook (Overland Park).

She enjoyed camping, reading, cooking, hunting, fishing, helping her daughter’s CampFire group, spending time with her kids and grand kids, and traveling most of the 50 states with her husband after retirement. She loved the Lord and was faithful to take her kids to church as a member of Jericho Missionary Baptist Church. She was a member of Eastern Star in Independence. Thelma never met a stranger and always made people feel like they mattered and were special.

Thelma is survived by her husband, Bernie; daughter, Pam (Brandon) Westbrook; step daughters, Kim Stimson and Michele Russell; sisters, Marie (Eddie) Steagall and Wanda “Susie” (Bill) Walker; lots of grandkids, great grandkids, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Emmitt and Lorine Johnson; and sons, Robert and Danny Simmons.

A Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, December 11th from 5-7 pm at Newcomer’s Noland Road Chapel at 509 S Noland Rd, Independence, MO 64050. The funeral will be held Monday, December 13th at 3:00 pm at Pleasant Grove Church, Macks Creek, MO. Richard Willis will officiate the ceremony.