Edna Merlee Simmons

Funeral services for Edna Merlee Jackson Simmons, 89, of Pavo will be at 2:00 PM, Friday December 17, 2010 at Allen & Allen Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Dr. Robert Slane and Rev. Charles Neely will officiate and burial will be in Salem Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joe Simmons, Jeff Simmons, Wade Hamp Simmons, David Simmons, Ricky Stephenson, and Lavon Cooper. Mr. Simmons died on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at Golden Living Center in Thomasville. Born May 16, 1921 in Gooselake Iowa, she was the daughter of the late Clarence W. and Ada Papke Jackson. She attended Summerhill Elementary, Preston High School and received a degree as a registered nurse from Jane Lamb Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Simmons served In the United States Navy at Great Lakes Naval Training as Ensign Navy Nurse. She retired from Thomas Co. Health Dept after 26 ½ years. She worked in nursing for 40 years and was President of Georgia State Nurses Association of 2 years. On March 3, 1945, she married the late Phillip Simmons of Pavo. She was a member of the Pavo United Methodist Church and served as President of the Pavo Woman's Club. Survivors include sons and daughters in law, P J, Jr and Betty Simmons of Pavo, Robert J. & Patty Simmons of Moultrie and daughter and son in law, Carmen & Kenly M Lanter of Thomasville. Other survivors include, grandchildren, James Darron Simmons and wife Jan, Michael Simmons and wife Lisa , Nicole Simmons and Daniel Simmons; step grandchildren, Buster Lanter, Joe Lanter, Linda Chastain, Debra and Dannie Rogers; great grandchildren, Cameron Simmons and Jackson Griffin and numerous nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Robert Jackson. Memorials may be made to the Pavo United Methodist Church or to the charity of your choice. The family would like to thank the staff and employees of Golden Living Center and especially the CNA's who took care of our mother. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 on Thursday evening at Allen & Allen Funeral Home. Friends and family may sign the online guest registry at www.allenfh.com .