Betty Jean Moyse Simmons

Betty enjoyed the better part of a remarkable century in her beloved Baton Rouge. From her birth in the family home downtown, to Dufroq School, to Baton Rouge High, while it was still “way out in the country,” to LSU, she settled and made her own family right here in town. She met Joe (Joseph Sternberger) Simmons at the Ole War Skule, and a romance ensued. Very early in her marriage, Joe, sold cars at Standard Motor Car Company, and Wednesdays were his day to cover the lot while the others lunched. Able to have hamburgers fried on very short notice, she got into the habit of Wednesday hamburgers. After more than 3,500 Wednesday hamburgers for her family, her fry skillet and spatula are now destined to a Hamburger Hall of Fame! Betty was born August 22, 1926, to Rosalie (Gottlieb) and Hermann Moyse. She and Joe married in October of 1947. They raised three lifetime residents of our city, Becky Lynn, Jean Moyse, (Jean S. Wilcox), and Joseph Gottlieb. Betty was blessed with two remarkably devoted children-in-law, William A Wilcox and Patricia A Day. By the time of her death on October 27, 2023, Betty was blessed with four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Betty also leaves behind her beloved four-legged companion of these past fifteen years since Joe’s death, Barney. Through the happy circumstances of her son’s high school exchange program, Betty also leaves a French “son and daughter,” Bernard Posth and Isabelle Gaillard together with eight French “grandchildren” and their families. Betty learned to ride horses, to hunt, and to fish as a girl. Those skills came in very handy during her 60+ years with Joe, who was at his happiest on the water. In the closing decades of their lives together, they were to be found at their Cocodrie fishing camp every Thursday-to-Sunday of the world. Following the example of her own family, Betty devoted considerable time, energy and effort into the betterment of our community. Among other things, she was at the side of her uncle, Lewis Gottlieb, as he helped establish and expand the United Givers, now evolved into the Capitol Area United way. Betty devoted much time to the Blundon Orphanage during its existence. She served tirelessly to improve human relations in our community as a long-tenured member of the local National Conference for Christians and Jews (evolving eventually to the National Conference for Community and Justice). She gave generously in support of countless philanthropic causes, among them, LSU, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Maison des Amis of Louisiana, Inc, the Red Shoes, BREADA, Habitat for Humanity, the Pennington Center, BRAF, the Water Institute, and so many others. Had her body held out so long, in November, she would have accepted recognition of Philanthropist of the Year during the local celebration of National Philanthropy Day. She broke something of a glass ceiling by being appointed the first female to serve on the foundation in support of the Baton Rouge General Hospital. She served as a Director of City National Bank of Baton Rouge. Above all, Betty was a charming and strong-willed woman. She hosted innumerable swimming parties for her children, friends, and families. Betty was a woman of the letters and the arts. She exercised an insatiable wunderlust. Up to the very last days of her life, Betty enjoyed twice-weekly Pilates classes! Her devotion to her family and friends knows no bounds. We, her family, owe sincere gratitude to so many who helped guide us through the the peaceful end of her life. Special ties require us specifically to call out thanks to Carl Luikart, M.D. Mark Kantrow, M.D, Angella Johnson, Robbie Tompkins, Dawn Strickland, and Ermalinda Pasos. Betty was interred next to Joe. We, the family, invite you to celebrate Betty's extraordinary life with us at 10:00 On Tuesday, October 31, at UCJBR, 9111 Jefferson Highway. (Gentlemen, please feel free to ditch the ties!) We ask that instead of flowers, that you hug a loved one tightly, that you give a child or grandchild an extra scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream, that you raise a glass of your finest spirits, or that you offer support to on a philanthropy meaningful in your life. More than anything, be grateful that Mom, Nana, Betty was a part of your life here in this community!