Dorothy Simmons

 Dorothy Davis Simmons, 96, of Jacksonville FL went peacefully to Heaven on July 13, 2013.  Born in 1917, she was the oldest of four children born to Cordie and Henry Davis of Valdosta GA. Upon receiving her nursing degree from Orange County Hospital, she joined the Army Nursing Corps and was on the first U.S. military convoy to journey to the South Pacific following the attack on Pearl Harbor.  In 1943 she met and married Lt. Robert C Simmons on Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, a union which lasted nearly 58 years.  Upon Bob’s retirement in 1973, Dorothy and Bob moved to Jacksonville where she became a member of the Jacksonville chapter of the DAR, the Riverside Woman’s Club, and an active volunteer at St. Vincent’s.  She and her husband enjoyed membership in the Jacksonville Power Squadron and spent many happy years cruising the St. John’s River.  Dorothy moved to Westminster Woods in 2005 and flourished in the warmth and friendships there.  Waiting for Dorothy in Heaven is husband Bob and son Bobby, along with her brothers Joseph, Jack, and Richard.  She is survived by her daughters, JoAnn Meier (Armin) of Hilton Head SC, and Linda Simmons (Louis Tuzy) of Amelia Island FL; two grandchildren, Heather Jackson (Tom) of Jacksonville Beach, FL, and Matthew Swan of Redding CA; and two great-grandchildren, Tommy and Davis of Jacksonville Beach FL; and the loving Davis families of Valdosta GA.  A memorial service will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church at 1 pm, Saturday, July 20 and a special celebration of life service will be held at Westminster Woods on July 27 at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Westminster Woods Foundation would be most welcome.  Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223. www.hgmandarin.com (904) 288-0025.