Mary Frances Simmons

Mary Frances, “MF”, was born Aug 7, 1922 at the army field hospital in San Antonio TX, to H.F. Harvey and C. Frances Edward, a military career family. She and her brother Harvey spent their childhood in the Philippines, California, Hawaii, and Washington DC.

An avid reader, MF graduated from T Roosevelt HS, Honolulu, HI, attended Mills Women’s college in Oakland CA in 1942, then earned a BA from the University of TX 1944, and an MS from George Washington U in 1946, where she would meet her future husband. On Aug 18, 1948, MF married John R. Simmons in Washington DC. The couple then started 33 years of Military Army life, crossing the globe, with daughter Cindy in tow.

MF developed a love of Chinese art deco rugs, Oolong tea, in addition to cats, British mystery novels and wallpaper. She spread her own style of Texas charm and generosity wherever she went. The couple were together 59 years, spending their final years with friends and family in Columbia, SC, Marblehead, MA and San Antonio, TX.

MF was preceded in death by her husband Col John R. Simmons, and brother C. E. Harvey Edward. Surviving is her daughter Cynthia Ann Simmons of St. Louis, MO nieces Catherine Whitt (Gordon) of MD and Joan Hester (Jeff) of OR, and her favorite one-eyed cat Willow.

Internment will be March 20, 2023, at sec: 54, Site: 851 Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington VAArrangements with