Martha Ethel Simmons

Mrs. Simmons was born and raised in Athens and was the daughter of Lorin and Ada Southard. She graduated from the University of Montevallo with a degree in sociology and worked for 25 years for the Department of Human Resources. In 1947, she married Frank Simmons.

She was preceded in death by Frank, her parents, and two brothers, Shelby Southard and Les Southard.

She is survived by sons, Franklin “Bud” Pearson Simmons Jr. and wife Melody of Athens, and John Edward Simmons of Tallahassee, Fla.; daughter, Laura S. Warren and husband Joe of Athens; grandsons, Joseph Winford Warren III of Los Angeles, John Pearson Warren of Athens, Franklin Pearson Simmons III of Auburn, Samuel Davis Simmons of Tuscaloosa; and granddaughter, Laura Joy Simmons of Athens.

Visitation will be from 1-2:45 p.m., and the funeral will follow at 3 p.m., both at McConnell Funeral Home. Internment will be at Athens City Cemetery with the Rev. Jimmy Bassham officiating.

The sons and grandsons will be pallbearers.