Barbara was born in Jackson, MS on May 7, 1932, to William Harold Davis and Ray Bradshaw Davis. She graduated from Central High School, Jackson, Ms in 1950, attended Millsaps College and the University of Mississippi and graduated from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville Tx. with a BS in Criminology. She worked for many years and retired from the Mississippi Employment Security Commission, where she passionately strived to help those in need of employment. For most of her life she resided in the Jackson, MS., area where she had many dear friends. She was an active member of Broadmoor Baptist Church, until she relocated to Texas to be near her family. At Broadmoor, she served as a greeter on Sunday mornings and was a member of the Joy Council.
Barbara was an avid reader, a gift she passed on to her children. Both her family and her faith were very important to her. After retiring, she devoted much time researching her family ancestry and writing her memoirs to share with her family, particularly her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also spent much time studying the scripture and once wrote an in-depth analysis of the Book of Revelation which she graciously shared with her children and family.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Ray Davis, husband O.H. Simmons, brother-in- law, Charles McKenna and her niece Holly Esslinger.
She is survived by her daughter, DeLynn James (Billy) of Anchorage, AK, son, Brad Truett (Lisa) of Plano, TX, sister, Judy McKenna, of Costa Mesa, CA, grandchildren, Lauren Prouse (Jay) of Tracy City, TN, Ben Truett of Madison, MS, Beth Rutland of Madison, MS, LeAnn Richardson (Cory) of Whitestown, IN, Reed Tompkins (Chelsey) of Kent, WA, Kate McDonald (James) of Anchorage, AK, Kelley Russell (Jayson) of Anchorage, AK, Chris Petrawski (Amy) of Richardson, TX, Josh Petrawski (Olivia) of Phoenix, AZ, Preston Petrawski of Plano, TX, and great grandchildren, Ali Grace Kelly, Bradley Kuebler, Ava Rutland, Will Tompkins, Violet Tompkins, Samantha McDonald, Logan McDonald, Charlotte McDonald, Jack Russell, Hank Russell, Wade Russell, Shaw Richardson, Hatcher Richardson, Harrison Petrawski, Hannah Petrawski, Madison Petrawski, and Marcus Petrawski, and niece, Katie (Chris) Kenner.
Family would like to express special thanks to the staff at Highland Springs in Dallas who provided excellent care for her in her later years.
Services will be held on Friday Dec 19th at Parkway Funeral Home, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway Ridgeland, MS., with visitation at 1:00 PM followed by services at 2:00 PM
Her request was for any contributions please be made to Broadmoor Baptist Church, Madison, MS.
