Mary Lee Simmons

They both moved to Fort Worth from their childhood homes – Jack was from Bryceland, Louisiana and Mary from Billings, Missouri. He came because his sisters who had served as ‘Rosie the Riveters’ during WW II and had remained in Fort Worth after the war. Mary had visited her aunt and uncle in Texas as a kid so after college she moved to Fort Worth to start her next chapter of life.

Their journey is such an amazing love story that they had, from the moment mom walked down that flight of stairs to meet the man who waited for her at the bottom.

The story goes that they had been set up on a blind date by Mary’s landlady. She told Jack, who frequently was her guest for dinner in her boarding house, that she had a blonde to introduce him to. He said he was leaving to visit his parents for a week and when he returned he would meet her. While he was gone Mary moved into that boarding house. Jack arrived on the evening promised and the landlady called for Mary to come down. He said he was waiting on the blonde when this brunette came down and stole his heart. The landlady introduced them and told Jack she had changed her mind about the blonde! That started a partnership that lasted for the rest of their lives on earth.

And as he has always said, “I met her on October 1st and married her on October 2nd …… a year later”. A true romance story!

Everyone here has been part of their story and have amazing memories of being with both of them. The family had a few thoughts to share of their love given to them. As grandparents they made many special moments with their grandchildren. One of those being from Jessica and she wants me to share this with you.

She says: I am so grateful that during my childhood a routine for me and brother Jacob was every Thursday after school dad would pick us up and go to Jack and Mary’s. Usually, grandma Mary would cook or she would pick something up like fast food to feed the whole family that we could all enjoy together. Sitting around the table talking about our day, and every time I ate something I would look at my grandpa Jack and say, “how does it taste?” His response would always be “ah man it’s awful” pause for a moment and say, “awful good!” After dinner we would do homework and grandma Mary always found ways to help us and make it easier for us. Jess will forever cherish the quality time they shared together.

Of course, as kids we remember how Jack liked to (as he called it) “pick at” Mary. Daughter Linda and Son Randy would just laugh every time their mom was working one of her favorite puzzles dad would sneak in and take one puzzle piece. Then she had it finished, she would say “Jack you better bring that piece here or else….” He got so much fun out of doing little things like that. He “picked at both of us as well.

And just to really give you an idea of how close they were to each other – they wore the same shoe size! No matter what came their way they always stood together.

Last week Mary became ill and had to be hospitalized, Jack, who was battling Alzheimer, could not go any long without her by his side so he took his last breath. Mary was told about him being on his way to heaven and being the mom & grandma she was, she made sure the family knew they loved them. Then she took her last breath as well knowing her partner was waiting at the gate for her. Now in heaven together forever and still in love!

When we say LOVE - 2 verses come to mind, thinking of Jack and Mary -

John 15:12 This is the commandment, that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another, just as I have loved you.

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God through personal experience.

Love is strong:

In love, we encourage

In love, we reach out

In love, we are generous

In love, we smile

In love, we forgive

In love, we share the love with family and friends

Jack and Mary had a “genuine love” for each other, a most precious gift in all the world, selfless and sacrificial. Like the love Jesus showed us by dying on the cross.

Their love was on display throughout their 68 years together. They loved and lived everyday with thankful hearts for each other and passed on this love to their family and friends.

We know they are with God now and we are comforted knowing they are together. As survivors and witnesses of this great love, we can be assured from 1 John 5:14 that says “This is the confidence which we (as believers are entitled to) have before Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, that He hears us.

Live every day with a thankful heart, God has a good plan for each of us and loves us unconditionally. Go with John 15:12, Love one another as I have loved you.