Wilma "Jean" Simmons

February 17, 1934 – July 8, 2011

Born in Tate, Georgia, Jean spent her formative years in Alcoa, Tennessee and graduated from Maryville High School. Jean is predeceased by her mother, Paralee Compton Reeves; father, Bluford Reeves; brother, Bluford Reeves, Jr. (“Buck”); sisters, Oleeta Reeves Green, Frances Reeves Caylor, and Eloise Reeves Stephenson; and husband, Maj. Wilbur Simmons. Jean is survived by her sister, Brenda Reeves Walden; brothers-in-law, Gary Walden, Bill Stephenson, Robert I. Simmons, and Harry Ganey; step-daughter, Suzette Simmons Weber; grandchildren, Amy Weber and Matthew Weber; daughter, D’Lisa R. Simmons; son-in-law, Michael Barnes; her best friend from childhood, Bettie Pemberton Green; and many, much loved nieces and nephews.

After high school graduation, Jean attended nursing school through the University of Michigan, completed her nursing training at St. Mary’s Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee, and became a Registered Nurse. After her marriage to Maj. Wilbur Simmons, Jean moved to Texas where she continued to work as a Registered Nurse and rear her daughters, Suzette Simmons Weber and D’Lisa R. Simmons. A member of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Texas City for some thirty years, Jean spent her latter years in Houston near her daughter, D’Lisa. While she eventually retired from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, Jean’s first professional calling, and her unending commitment, was to public health.

While born during the Great Depression, Jean believed the power of equality is attained through education. A trailblazer in her time, Jean was the first in her family to attend college and have a profession, paving the way for others in the family to follow. Jean had a strong sense of empathy, especially for those people who were considered the “underdogs” of our lives. Jean was a strong proponent of basic primary healthcare services available to all, regardless of one’s station in life. A person who thought for herself and marched to the beat of her own drummer, Jean also believed in truth and integrity. She touched many lives as a nurse, wife, sister, friend, and especially as a loving mother. Jean was known for her sense of style, whether wearing chopsticks in her bun which coordinated with her outfit, or range of hair styles and colors during her younger days. While not renowned for her skills in the kitchen, Jean loved seafood and made wonderful dill-pickled carrots.

The family would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation to the caregivers who provided excellent care during Jean’s final years, as she struggled with Alzheimer’s disease and COPD: Winston Watkins, M.D. (Internal Medicine); Richard Pesikoff, M.D. (Psychiatry); Louis Roddy, M.D. (Pulmonology); Jeffrey Lee, M.D. (Gerontology); the wonderful caregivers at the Cottages of Spring Branch, especially Deborah, Patris, Yanira, Alex, Sheila, Elizabeth, Mary, Ron, and Claudia; and the staff at Hospice Compassus, including Nurse Ashley, Nurse Robert, Nurse Mary France, and Nurse Sandy. You have been our angels on earth.

In honor of Jean’s service as a Registered Nurse and her passion for public health issues, contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities, Inc., 3100 Main St., Suite 865, Houston, Texas 77002. Memorial services are scheduled at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 16, 2011 at Waltrip Funeral Home, 1415 Campbell Road, Houston, Texas 77055. In honor of Jean’s sense of style and grace, we are not wearing black.