Elizabeth Harvey Simmons

Elizabeth (Betty) Harvey Simmons passed away Friday, September 14, 2018 in Houston, Texas. She was born in Tupelo, Mississippi to Ada Mae Ross Harvey and George Roy Harvey. Her family lived in Omaha, Nebraska for a short time before moving to Houston, Texas. Betty was an active participant in Girls Auxiliary, a missionary organization at Third Baptist Church in Houston. Betty graduated from Lamar High School in Houston. Herbert and Betty met at Third Baptist Church where they were active members.

Betty studied Chemistry at Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton, Texas. During her junior year, she worked as an intern at Jeff Davis Hospital in Houston. After graduating, she married Herbert Simmons on December 23, 1951 in Jackson, Mississippi. Betty worked for five years at the VA hospital in Houston as a lab technician. Betty and Herbert added Janet, Douglas, Russell and Thomas to the family in the 1950s and 1960s.

Betty took several sculpture and watercolor classes in college and grew to love art. She later used her artistic talent to open the family business, Simmons Florist, with her husband in 1957. She spent most of her time with her husband and children at the flower shop and at their church, Park Place Baptist Church. She also took upholstery classes and began an upholstery business in the early 1980s. Betty loved to play the piano and the violin, sing in the choir and share her paintings with friends and family.

Betty knew Christ as her Lord and Savior and dedicated her life to serving her church and the people in her community. Her ministry spanned many areas including music, children’s ministry, homebound ministry, and bus ministry. She was a member of the Adult Celebration and Keen Choirs, a Vacation Bible School teacher and TeamKid worker and served on the Hospitality Committee for many years. One of her highest priorities was to attend church with her children each Sunday. Knowing that her children are all believers in Christ was one of her greatest joys.

She and Herbert celebrated 67 years of marriage and set a wonderful example of a Godly marriage for their children. Herbert’s unconditional love for Betty was evident as he cared for her, never leaving her side. Betty was dearly loved and will be missed by those she touched.

Betty was preceded in death by her brother George Harvey and his wife Anita, and her sister-in-law Jimmie Williams.

Betty is survived by her husband, Herbert, of 67 years and daughter, Janet Adams and husband, Russ of Keller and sons, Douglas Simmons and wife, P.B. of Millican, Russell Simmons and wife, Jene of Houston, and Thomas Simmons and wife, Jeanette of Deer Park. She also has nine grandchildren, Bryonie, Michael and wife, Kassi, Tyler and fiancé, Kaelee, Michael and wife, Jenny, Sharon and husband, Mike, Garrett, Kelsey, Bailey and husband, Kyle, and Jared. She has eleven great grandchildren Betty Ann, Benjamin, Rhyan, Samuel, Rhett, Jeremiah, Auden, Beckett, Wyatt, Paul, and Bradley. With God’s grace and in His timing, we will all be reunited again. Praise be to God!