Charlayne Grimes Simons

Charlayne was born in Portsmouth, Virginia to Charles & Mildred Grimes on February 17, 1946. And while she wasn’t in the best mood immediately (she was never a morning person), she quickly adopted a “Let’s not take life too seriously” philosophy.

This aided Charlayne growing up with her older sister Dorothy. As is often the case with siblings, they were each other’s greatest tormentors - but also each other’s greatest protectors if anyone else dared torment them. The two got through the hardships of growing up feeding each other’s vivid imaginations, creativity, and very warped senses of humor. They were best friends for life.

In her later teen years, Charlayne’s family moved to Camden, North Carolina. It’s here where she would meet the person who would both compliment and challenge her: Nelson Wayne Simons, an aspiring left-brained engineer who took life very seriously. Nelson was a challenge the right-brained Charlayne who was only too happy to accept. Through 54 years of marriage, and a strong Christian faith as their foundation, their left and right minds became one.

Charlayne and Nelson were self-proclaimed homebodies. But fate steered this southern couple to the lush shores of Burnt Hills, New York. While Nelson worked at General Electric, Charlayne served as a full-time mom to Wendy & Brent (both quite the handful, let me tell you). Nonetheless, she found an outlet for her humor and creativity through her church. There, she volunteered as a puppeteer for the kids, a Pioneer Girls leader, a Cub Scout den mother, a youth group leader, and preschool teacher.

With both kids grown and out of the house, Charlayne and Nelson deserved a rest. Instead, Nelson got a job offer that moved them to Beijing, China. During a visit to HOPE FOSTER HOME on the outskirts of the city, Charlayne became so moved by the bright smiles of these kids who had so little, that she was compelled to volunteer as a caregiver to the orphanage. These three years were some of the most rewarding of her life.

With the arrival of her grandchildren, Emily and Adam, Charlayne found her most cherished role - grandmother. She lives on through their vivid imaginations, creativity, and very warped senses of humor.

As the family was unable to hold a memorial service for Nelson during the pandemic, they will be holding a memorial service that will be held in celebration of both Charlayne and Nelson’s lives on Saturday, November 15th at 11:00 am at Lost Mountain Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the following causes that meant so much to their parents.

The New Hope Foundation - https://newhope.foundation/donate/

Good Mews Animal Foundation - https://goodmews.kindful.com/