Nancy Lee Simmons

Nancy Lee Hill was born in Wadesboro, North Carolina on August 2, 1942, to her parents, Johnnie Henry Hill and Vera Strickland Hill. She grew up in a family with three brothers and three sisters. She graduated from Wadesboro High School in 1960 and started her career with the phone company the very next day. She continued to work for AT&T & Southern Bell for 30 years only taking a break mid-career to raise her family.

Nancy married Billy Joe Simmons on December 18, 1965, and spent over 58 years together with her husband. She raised two boys, Joseph Bryan and Barry. More recently, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, Annabelle and Grady, and step grandchild, Lillianna.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Bill Simmons, her two sons, Joseph Bryan Simmons and his wife, Allison, and Barry Lee Simmons and his wife, Diana, and their children. She is also survived by her sister, Susan Schaffer of Oak Island, North Carolina.

She dedicated herself to her family, her friends and her faith through service and fellowship. Nancy volunteered for over 20 years as either a Sunday School teacher or nursery worker at Hickory Grove Baptist Church. For the last 10 years, she was a member of Indian Trail Baptist Church. She enjoyed her lifelong friendships including her ‘Lunch Bunch’ from AT&T who continued to meet regularly well after retirement. She enjoyed travel, bowling with her team, collecting antiques and making crochet projects. She was a true Braves fan, watching broadcasts of as many games as possible. She also loved the old Westerns, whether classic movies, mini-series or tv shows.

Nancy was a survivor. She survived Breast Cancer twice. After battling through chemotherapy and radiation, she was believed to be in remission for years until the cancer suddenly reoccurred. She repeated the entire process. After the second bout, Nancy remained cancer-free for the next 10 years.

A funeral service will be held 12:00 pm Friday, May 24, 2024, at McEwen Funeral Service-Mint Hill Chapel, 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road in Mint Hill, North Carolina. The family will greet friends during visitation starting at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at 3:00 pm at Bennett Cemetery, 437 State Road 1812 McRae Avenue, Wadesboro, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Samaritan’s Purse, Post Office Box 300, Boone, North Carolina 28607 or www.samaritanspurse.org.