SIMMONS, Kay Adams, of Midlothian, age 81, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, January 17, 2019, with family by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur O. “Buck” Adams and Veva Adams Easton, of Oak Hill, West Virginia, and her husband, Lt. Col. (Ret.) USAF William P. “Buddy” Simmons, originally from Pilot Mountain, North Carolina.
Kay was born December 7, 1937 in Linden, West Virginia and grew up in Oak Hill. She graduated from Collins High School in 1955 and became the first in her family to attend college at Duke University, where she studied nursing. While at Duke she met and married her husband, Buddy Simmons, on March 25, 1956. Thereafter, Kay fully supported Buddy’s 28-year career as an Air Force officer and pilot, orchestrating every detail of family moves from North Carolina to France; Tennessee; West Virginia; Virginia (Hampton); Germany; Texas; Hawaii; and, finally, back to North Carolina (Fayetteville). Kay lovingly nursed and supported her husband during his final illness and untimely death on July 4, 1987. Kay moved to the Richmond area in 1988 to be closer to family, settling in Midlothian.
Kay was an intelligent, reserved, generous, and independent woman. She had a life-long love of reading, and she was a skilled and avid bridge player. She was a great lover of dogs, and she leaves behind her loyal companion, Chance. She worked as a substitute teacher, real estate agent, and manager of the book department at Belk Stores in North Carolina and Virginia. She was a devoted daughter, sister, mother, and beloved “Nana” to her grandchildren. She was a member of the Bellwood Women’s Club, where she co-chaired the bridge group and often drove older and infirm members to enable them to play.
Kay leaves behind her children William P. Simmons, Jr. (Debby Anker) of Takoma Park, MD; Jonathan M. Simmons of Fayetteville, NC, and Scott A. Simmons (Elaine) of Midlothian. She is also survived by her brother Rex D. Adams (Ellen) of Durham, NC and Woods Hole, MA, and her grandchildren William N. Simmons and Robert A. Simmons of Midlothian.
Visitation will be at the Woody Funeral Home Huguenot Chapel, 1020 Huguenot Road, on Friday, January 25th, from 5-7 p.m., and her funeral service will be on Saturday, January 26th, at 2:00 p.m., at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 4207 Forest Hill Avenue. Interment will be at a later date in Fayetteville, NC. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in her honor to a charity of your choice supporting animal rescue or the American Heart Association.
