1939
Mary
2011
Mary Lou Simms
September 15, 1939 — May 18, 2011
Mary Lou Simms passed away on Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Funeral services will be at LaGrone-Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Coulter Road Chapel, 8310 S. Coulter with Rev. Perry Hunsacker officiating. Burial will be in Panhandle Cemetery, immediately following the service.
Pallbearers will be Eddie Boyd, Harley Reynolds, Kevin Powers, Lewis Powers, Max Reno, and Phillip Smith. Honorary Pallbearers will be Scott and Austin Henderson and Matt and Dillon Simms.
Mary Lou was born on September 15, 1939 in Panhandle, TX at home at 509 E. Broadway. She attended Panhandle Schools for 12 years graduating in 1958 as Valedictorian. Though she never seriously attended college – always putting other things first intending to go back to school later, one of her big thrust in life was encouraging others to get their education now – don’t put it off – it will be even harder later!
She spent much of her life taking care of her family who all graduated from college and are very successful in their own right. She helped build the family farm and a feedyard corporation where she worked for 38 years. She was privileged to take a small, struggling business and develop all the necessary paper work and safe guards to make it a going concern. She went from knowing nothing about cattle to a very broad knowledge of the cattle feeding industry. This was one of the loves of her life.
In 1991 she embarked upon a totally new career going into the retail clothing business as a partner with her daughter and son-in-law at Appearances in Amarillo. This she also learned from personal experience having no formal training or information for this endeavor. Although she never quite attained the passion for the industry that she had for the cattle industry, she persevered and learned much about how to manage a retail store. She always missed some parts of this after the business was sold – especially the people.
Over the years she gave much to different organizations – especially organizations in Panhandle. She served in most positions in the First United Methodist Church in Panhandle where she was a member for 39 years. She taught most levels of Sunday school from Nursery to Adult, lead many studies for UMW and for the whole church, was leader of the Bell Choir for several years, sang in the adult choir, played the organ, and played for children choirs. She held many jobs in the church including Administrative Council Chair, chairman of finance, and was the head of the 100th anniversary of the church in a year long celebration that was the most successful thing she had ever done. In 2001, she moved membership to St. Paul United Methodist Church. Here she found many wonderful friends especially her Rebecca Sunday School Class and Martha Circle.
She also held offices in the Panhandle PTA, the Fine Arts Club, the Emmaus Reunion Group, and the Carson County Square House Museum where she was chairman for 2 years and financial chairman. She also served the Harrington Cancer Center Circle of Friends for many years and was president of the board in 1992, 1993. She served on the board of directors of the Harrington Cancer Center from 1998 until 2000. She was a Reach for Recovery Volunteer for the American Cancer Society.
Mary Lou is survived by three children, Glenna Henderson and husband Craig of Amarillo, Stan Simms and wife Debbie of Highland Village, TX, Shana Simms of Justicburg, TX. The joy of her last years was her granddaughters, Jacqueline and Kristin Henderson and her grandsons Scott and Austin Henderson and Matt and Dillon Simms. She is also survived by two brothers, Charles Miller of Incline Village, NV and Jack Miller of Denver, CO and a sister, Madeline of Amarillo. She had a very special friend in her cousin, Cara Mizirl of Tuttle, OK.
She lost her 16 year valiant battle with breast cancer. She was an inspiration of strength to many other cancer survivors. She was very appreciative of the caring staff at Texas Oncology over the last 4 ½ years. The staff became very dear to her during that time. She has even published a book to be given to others that are battling cancer.
Mary Lou’s first love of life was her family then giving to the word and trying to make changes for the better in the world that she knew. She also had many friends who gave her so much delight, pleasure, and love. Thanks to all of them for helping to make her life a wonderful time on this earth!
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 Friday evening at the Funeral Home. The Family will be at 7410 Lynnlee, Amarillo.
The family suggests memorials be to Panhandle Cancer Cure Foundation, at Texas Oncology, 1000 S. Coulter, Amarillo, TX 79106, Carson County Square House Museum in Panhandle, or Martha Circle, at St. Paul United Methodist Church.
Pallbearers will be Eddie Boyd, Harley Reynolds, Kevin Powers, Lewis Powers, Max Reno, and Phillip Smith. Honorary Pallbearers will be Scott and Austin Henderson and Matt and Dillon Simms.
Mary Lou was born on September 15, 1939 in Panhandle, TX at home at 509 E. Broadway. She attended Panhandle Schools for 12 years graduating in 1958 as Valedictorian. Though she never seriously attended college – always putting other things first intending to go back to school later, one of her big thrust in life was encouraging others to get their education now – don’t put it off – it will be even harder later!
She spent much of her life taking care of her family who all graduated from college and are very successful in their own right. She helped build the family farm and a feedyard corporation where she worked for 38 years. She was privileged to take a small, struggling business and develop all the necessary paper work and safe guards to make it a going concern. She went from knowing nothing about cattle to a very broad knowledge of the cattle feeding industry. This was one of the loves of her life.
In 1991 she embarked upon a totally new career going into the retail clothing business as a partner with her daughter and son-in-law at Appearances in Amarillo. This she also learned from personal experience having no formal training or information for this endeavor. Although she never quite attained the passion for the industry that she had for the cattle industry, she persevered and learned much about how to manage a retail store. She always missed some parts of this after the business was sold – especially the people.
Over the years she gave much to different organizations – especially organizations in Panhandle. She served in most positions in the First United Methodist Church in Panhandle where she was a member for 39 years. She taught most levels of Sunday school from Nursery to Adult, lead many studies for UMW and for the whole church, was leader of the Bell Choir for several years, sang in the adult choir, played the organ, and played for children choirs. She held many jobs in the church including Administrative Council Chair, chairman of finance, and was the head of the 100th anniversary of the church in a year long celebration that was the most successful thing she had ever done. In 2001, she moved membership to St. Paul United Methodist Church. Here she found many wonderful friends especially her Rebecca Sunday School Class and Martha Circle.
She also held offices in the Panhandle PTA, the Fine Arts Club, the Emmaus Reunion Group, and the Carson County Square House Museum where she was chairman for 2 years and financial chairman. She also served the Harrington Cancer Center Circle of Friends for many years and was president of the board in 1992, 1993. She served on the board of directors of the Harrington Cancer Center from 1998 until 2000. She was a Reach for Recovery Volunteer for the American Cancer Society.
Mary Lou is survived by three children, Glenna Henderson and husband Craig of Amarillo, Stan Simms and wife Debbie of Highland Village, TX, Shana Simms of Justicburg, TX. The joy of her last years was her granddaughters, Jacqueline and Kristin Henderson and her grandsons Scott and Austin Henderson and Matt and Dillon Simms. She is also survived by two brothers, Charles Miller of Incline Village, NV and Jack Miller of Denver, CO and a sister, Madeline of Amarillo. She had a very special friend in her cousin, Cara Mizirl of Tuttle, OK.
She lost her 16 year valiant battle with breast cancer. She was an inspiration of strength to many other cancer survivors. She was very appreciative of the caring staff at Texas Oncology over the last 4 ½ years. The staff became very dear to her during that time. She has even published a book to be given to others that are battling cancer.
Mary Lou’s first love of life was her family then giving to the word and trying to make changes for the better in the world that she knew. She also had many friends who gave her so much delight, pleasure, and love. Thanks to all of them for helping to make her life a wonderful time on this earth!
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 Friday evening at the Funeral Home. The Family will be at 7410 Lynnlee, Amarillo.
The family suggests memorials be to Panhandle Cancer Cure Foundation, at Texas Oncology, 1000 S. Coulter, Amarillo, TX 79106, Carson County Square House Museum in Panhandle, or Martha Circle, at St. Paul United Methodist Church.
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