Obituary of Grace Williams Simmons

Grace Williams Simmons died peacefully in her Orange County home on February 2, 2024; due to complications of advanced stage dementia. She was 95 years old.

Ms. Simmons was born on January 7, 1929, at home in Hillsborough, NC to her parents Naomi Pearson Williams and Charles A. Williams, Sr. She was educated in the Orange County School system. She married Thomas Wesley Simmons in 1950. Ms. Simmons and her late husband Wesley were owners/operators of a small cattle farm and mobile home park in Eastern Orange County; where they were both respected and cherished residents of the Pleasant Green Community.

She was an assembly line worker with Amphenol Connector in Durham, NC for 30 years where she developed many treasured and loyal friendships through the years; retiring in 1988. She was of the Baptist faith.

Ms. Simmons is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Denise Simmons of Durham, NC and four grandchildren Frank Simmons of Hillsborough, Evetta Allen of Durham, Olivia Simmons of Denver, CO, Greyson Simmons of Durham. A host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews She is preceded in death by her husband Wesley; sons Jerry and Danny; brother Charles A. Williams, Jr. (Mozelle); sisters Virginia W. Warren (Rudolph), Ruth W. Willette (EC), Louise W. Garrard (Theodore); and special life-long friend Elizabeth S. Terry.

Ms. Simmons and family were blessed beyond measure with an amazing circle of loving and supportive caregivers during the last couple of years of her life; LuAnne Loy, niece & caregiver of the home; Grace Parrish of the home; Buck & Diane Ferrell; Beverly Ball; Randy & Barbara Knight; Joyce Moss; and UNC Hospice and Serana Markham.  

Pallbearers will be Eddie Velasquez, Chuck Daniels, Mark Higgins, Shawn Garrard, Keith Hayes, David McBroom and honorary pallbearers James Tilley and Buck Ferrell.

A private family burial will take place at Hillsborough Town Cemetery Friday morning, February 9, 2024.  Visitation and funerl will be at Ridgecrest Baptist Church - 1104 Milton Road, Durham, NC, Friday, February 9, 2024.  Visitation will begin at 11:00AM with a service to follow in the sanctuary at 12:30PM.

Flowers are acceptable or memorials can be made to UNC Hospice 211 Friday Center Drive - Suite 2041, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.