   Gloria Ann Russell Simmons 27 November 1935 - 31 October 2018 Dennis Ivan Simmons 30 May 1933 - 11 May 2023 wed 3 July 1954 married 64 years  Gloria Ann Simmons, 82, passed away October 31, 2018 in Sherman, Texas after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. A celebration of life was held at Western Heights Church of Christ on Saturday afternoon, November 10, 2018 with Joe Furr and Ed Jones officiating. Gloria was born November 27, 1935 in Gordonville, Texas, daughter of Marshall and Corine Russell. She graduated from Denison High School in 1954 where she was a majorette in the Yellow Jacket Band, winning a first place gold medal as a baton twirler. She was also one of 75 band members invited to participate in Dwight Eisenhower's inauguration parade in January 1953, marching down Pennsylvania Avenue representing the President's birthplace. She met her husband while working at the Rialto Theatre in Denison, Texas. They were married at the home of Gloria's sister, Juanita Samford on July 3, 1954 in Denison. She spent her life making a Christian home for her 4 children and was a long time member of the Church of Christ. During her life she was employed by Denison Federal Savings and Loan in Denison; Raytheon in Bedford, Massachusetts; 20 years as a tax preparer for H&R Block and 24 years as a secretary at Western Heights Church of Christ. To occupy her spare time, she enjoyed singing with the Heart of Texoma Chorus and was a charter member of the Red River Valley Chapter of Sweet Adolines, International. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Dennis; 4 children, Randy Simmons of Sherman; Karen Fulenchek and husband, Ronnie, of McKinney; Pamela Simmons of the home; and Larry Simmons of Sherman; 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by 2 sisters, Juanita Samford and Linda Warren; one brother, Noah Russell; and numerous extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, David Russell; sisters, Thelma Welch, Frances Hardeman, and Betty Elliott. Her final resting place is in Mt. Tabor Cemetery in Sandusky, Grayson County, Texas. The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Western Heights Church of Christ in Sherman or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, Maryland 21741-5014, www.michaeljfox.org.  Dennis Ivan Simmons, 89, passed away on May 11, 2023 in Bonham, Texas. A celebration of life was held at Western Heights Church of Christ on Saturday afternoon, June 3, 2023. Ed Jones officiated. Dennis was born May 30, 1933 in Friendship, Maine, son of Ivan and Doris Simmons. He graduated from St. George High School in Tenants Harbor, Maine in 1951. He received his Associate of Applied Science degree in 1978 from Grayson County College in Denison, Texas. He met his wife, Gloria, at the Rialto theater in Denison while serving in the United States Air Force and stationed at Perrin Air Force Base. They married July 3, 1954 in Denison, Texas. He was a long time member of the Church of Christ. Dennis enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 18 and retired with 20 years of service in Sherman, Texas. He then went to work for the Sherman Public school system, retiring with 15 years of service. He established Simmons Heating and Air Conditioning, retiring in 2008 at the age of 75. To occupy his spare time, he enjoyed coaching little league baseball and girls softball. He also enjoyed hunting in the state of Maine and was a volunteer with the Texoma Medical Center Volunteers for the past 4 years. He served the Parkview Church of Christ as an elder for 10 years, a deacon for 5 years and 2 years as youth director. He is survived by his 4 children: Randy Simmons and wife, Mary, of Colbert, Oklahoma; Karen Fulenchek and husband, Ronnie, of McKinney, Texas; Pamela Simmons of the home and Larry Simmons of Sherman; 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by 4 brothers: Ronald Simmons and wife, Jean; Dana Simmons and wife, Rita; Neil Simmons and wife, Rayetta; Mark Simmons and wife, Reah; and numerous extended family. He was preceded in death by his wife as well as his parents. His final resting place will be Mount Tabor Cemetery in Sandusky, Grayson County, Texas. The family request that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Texoma Medical Center Volunteers in Denison, Texas.  Mt.Tabor Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |