Odessa L Simmons

Odessa Lavon Wright Simmons, formerly of Basehor, KS and Kansas City, KS, passed away Thursday, June 11, 2015 at Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Overland Park, KS. Memorial services will be 10:00 am, Monday, June 15 at Chapel Hill – Butler Funeral Home in Kansas City, KS. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Sunday, June 14 from 4-6 pm at the funeral home.

Odessa was born July 29, 1924 in Izard County, Arkansas, one of twelve children born to Cora E. (Ford) ad Thomas M. Wright. She graduated from Sidney High School, Sidney, Arkansas in April 1942. She married William Truman Simmons on December 15, 1945. Odessa and Truman moved to Kansas City, KS in 1952, where they lived, worked and raised their three children. Odessa worked at Sunshine Biscuit Co., Wee Winnie Wearables, Montgomery Ward and Artco Casket Co. She retired in 1986 after working fifteen years for Artco, where she made custom casket interiors.

Odessa was an active member of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Kansas City, KS and Bonner Springs, KS from 1952 until 2012, when she entered Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, infant Henry James Wright, Ewell Wright, Tommy Wright and George Junior Wright; five sister, Faye Williams Garner, Mae Johnson McGuffey, Mona Qualls, Drinon Smith and Johnnie Hill Smith; and her beloved husband of 51 years, William Truman Simmons.

Odessa is survived by her children, Brenda Sue (Norman) Dysart, Rita Karen (Kevin) Noah, and William Truman (Judy) Simmons; two grandchildren, Melanie Lavonne Dysart French, and Zachary Daniel Simmons; one great-grandchild, Ava Rose French; two sisters, Lottie Ryder of Garden City, KS, and Jewell Durham of Woodbine, GA; as well as many nieces, nephews and other friends and family.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence at Overland Park, KS, who made Odessa’s last years comfortable and peaceful.