Polly Jean Simmons

POLLY S. SIMMONS BRIDGEWATER, VA Our Mom, Polly Silling Simmons, 82, Staunton, VA passed away on March 12, 2013 in Alexandria, VA. She is survived by her two sons, Chris Randall Simmons (Culpeper), John Andrew Simmons (Alexandria), and two grandchildren, William (Virginia Beach) and Mallory (Richmond). Mom was a devoted wife, mother and teacher. She graduated from Mary Baldwin College in Staunton and granted a Master of Science in Education from Gallaudet College in Washington, DC. She taught the deaf for four years at the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind (VSDB) in Staunton, VA. Mom taught in the Roanoke City Public Schools and served as the Reading Specialist for 25 years at Linville Edom Elementary School in Rockingham County. Many of her past students will remember the little reading cottage in the front of the school. It looked a lot like a place you might find Hansel and Gretel. A magical place to walk into and learn. Many times in visiting our parents, past students would greet us and hug our Mom and proclaim, "You taught me to read." We were always proud of our Mom for helping kids get that important start in life. She married Marion L. Simmons (Presbyterian Minister in Broadway, VA) June 9, 1954 at the First Presbyterian Church in Staunton. They met at Augusta Military academy where she dunked him in the swimming pool. No one ever said Mom was shy! Dad always said "he was in deep water ever' since." They were as close as two people could be in their lives together. Our father told Mom he loved her every day. After having two sons, the family moved to Broadway, VA where our father became the minister for the Broadway Presbyterian Church. Her life was devoted to encouraging children to learn and supporting her family, which included many years of roughing it on all the amazing camping trips Dad would plan for our summer vacations. There were many nights sleeping in canvas tents with raccoon visitors, a few bears, and cooking over open fires all because it was what her husband and boys loved. We suspect Mom liked it a little herself. These times really pulled us together as a family. Our parents celebrated their 50th Anniversary with family and their many friends in May 2004. It's a memory that we will always treasure. Our father passed in April of 2008. We were blessed to have Mom for a few more years. We know Dad is happy to see her. Over the years, Mom began to support Smile Train, an organization devoted to providing surgery for children born with a cleft lip or palate in developing countries enabling them to live a more normal life. In lieu of flowers we request that donations be made to the Polly Simmons Memorial Fund. Through this fund we honor our Mom for all the many ways she's helped children throughout her life. Visit http://support.smiletrain.org/goto/pollysimmons to make a donation. We thank you for your contribution to Mom's memory. The funeral services will be held at Henry Funeral Home, 1030 West Beverly Street, Staunton, VA on Monday, March 18, at 3 pm. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.