Mary Simmons, age 87, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2023, at DCH Regional Medical Center.

Services will be 2:00 p.m. on May 5, 2023 at Magnolia Chapel North with Rev Albert Lyles and Rev Tim Carter officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Burial will follow at Williamson Cemetery.

She was born Mary Elizabeth Farris on April 18, 1936, the 6th child of Chester and Stella Grissom Farris in Winfield, Alabama. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rayford Simmons; her siblings, Ruble Prestridge, Johnny Farris, Billy Farris, Marlene Brown, James Farris, Mac Farris, and Kenneth Farris; and the father of her children, Clayton Latham.

She is survived by her children, Mark Latham (Mary), Gina Lewis (Gregg), Marianne Northington (David), Jeff Latham (Wendy), and Allison Singletary (Keith), her stepsons, Joey Simmons and Randall Simmons (Carolyn), her siblings, Peggy Burton, Jimmy Farris (Bernice), George Farris, and Junior Farris (Debbie). She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was affectionately known as “Meme.”

Mary had a passion for life and was a kind and loving mother, wife, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. She had many God-given talents as a painter, artist, seamstress and wonderful homemaker. She loved spending time with family and friends and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Most importantly, she will be remembered for her enduring faith in the Lord, and her grace with which she persevered through many years of battling Parkinson's disease. With great strength and endurance, she continued to make skillful oil paintings, precious baby blankets, last-minute Halloween costumes, and homemade dolls. We will miss her gracious hospitality, laughter, loving hugs, and words of wisdom. She embodied what it means to be a Proverbs 31 woman, “Her children arise and call her blessed”.

The family would like to thank her many friends, neighbors, and church family for their friendship and for being an important part of her life.

Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Indian Lake Baptist Church, Northport, Ala.; the American Parkinson's Disease Association; or a charity of your choice.

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