Ruth Elizabeth Simmons

Ruth was born March 7, 1926 in Springfield, the daughter of Floyd M. and Anna L. Poundstone Simmons.

Ruth attended Lawrence Elementary School and was a graduate of Springfield High School. Following high school, Ruth attended Brown’s Business College. She retired from the State of Illinois after 43 years of service at the Illinois Department of Public Aid as a Clerk/Typist II. Ruth was a lifetime member of Laurel United Methodist Church, where she was baptized in 1926. Ruth participated in many Bible studies over the years and was an active member of Pace Setters Sunday School class. She was a past president of the Laurel United Methodist Women and a past leader of the Rebecca Parrish Circle. She was also awarded the United Methodist Women pin. She loved to learn, enjoyed knitting, “Birding,” attending enrichment seminars on a wide variety of topics, and traveling to “The Clearing” in Ellison Bay, WI. She was an active and dedicated church member, loved a good clean joke, and had impeccable etiquette, “…but Mom never taught me to cook.” Ruth will be remembered for the care and devotion shown to her parents and her brother Robert.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, George and Robert Simmons.

She is survived by several cousins and many close friends.

Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 South Grand Ave. W., Springfield, with Rev. Dr. Kent Lolling officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 South Grand Ave. W., Springfield, IL, 62704 or Springfield Audubon Society, 2315 E. Clearlake Avenue, Springfield, IL 62703.