Thelma June Simmons

June's life began on June 17, 1924 in Drumright, OK, the daughter of Oliver and Ruby (Kenimer) Short. She was united in marriage to Stedman Simmons on February 16, 1946 in Alto, Texas. June worked for the Woolworth's Store in Dowagiac for many years. She was always very active and on the go. June was a member of the Dowagiac Missionary Church and sang in the church choir with her beautiful voice. She was a member of the Dowagiac American Legion Post #365 Ladies Auxiliary, the past president of the Dowagiac AARP, an election worker for the City of Dowagiac and served as a guardian for women at the former Dowagiac Nursing Home. Her loving family includes her daughter Andrea Ruff of Kalamazoo, grandchildren Sheri (Tim) Taggert of Lavernia, Texas, Tonya (John) Gonser of Portage, Traci (Michael) Friant of Lavernia, Texas, Fred (Monica) Ruff of Ingleside, TX, Jody (Karen) Ruff of Lawton, Lori ( Brian) Reed of Dowagiac, Heather Simmons of Richmond,VA, and David (Yadira) Peterson of San Antonio, TX, several great grandchildren, sister Doris Gustafson of Burton, MI. and dear friends Jim and Vada Snow of Dowagiac and Bruce and Patricia Mather of Dowagiac. June passed away on January 1, 2010 at her home in Dowagiac. She is preceded in death by her husband Stedman in 1991, and two sons Stedman Simmons, Jr. and Daniel Simmons. Her family will gather with friends on Wednesday from 11 to 1 p.m. at Yazel-Clark Chapel where her funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday led by Pastor Orliss Terry of Dowagiac Missionary Church. She will be laid to rest in Flint Memorial Garden, Mt. Morris, MI on Thursday at 1 p.m. Memorial contributions in June's name may be directed to the Dowagiac Missionary Church. Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of June at www.yazel-clark.com .