Frances Louise Simmons

Frances Louise Simmons, 93, a Narcissa, OK resident passed away at home on Thursday, August 3, 2023. Frances was born on December 8, 1929, in Fairland, OK to B.E. and Macy (White) Boyd. She graduated from Fairland H.S. in 1948. She married Melvin Simmons on January 27, 1951, in Fairland, OK. Melvin joined the Army in 1952 and they moved to Camp Pickett, VA., and later spent two years in Albuquerque, N.M. After leaving the Army, they moved to Narcissa, OK where Frances became a full-time homemaker/mother, and was involved in all her kids’ activities: PTO, 4-H, Homeroom Mother, Band mom and Eagles Booster. Frances loved the Lord and was a lifetime member of Lone Star Baptist Church, active in WMU and church clerk for many, many years. Frances was involved with the American Legion Post #147 Auxiliary for 34 years, where she served in many positions. She loved crossword puzzles and in later years putting together jigsaw puzzles with her great grandkids. If you ask the grandchildren what they will remember about their grandma, it is her dill pickles and mac n cheese and we'll never forget her home canned green beans and homemade chicken and noodles those were the best. One thing she never forgot was some ones birthday. Always a card in the mail everytime. She loved bowling and was a member of the Miami Women’s Bowling Association and the Women’s International Bowling Congress for nearly 50 years, serving as secretary for many of those years. She was inducted into the Miami Bowling Hall of Fame in 2017. Frances was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Melvin L. Simmons, her parents B.E. (Bert) & Macy Boyd; sisters: Eva Boyd, Bessie Gibson, Juanita Hayes and Helen Rowley; brothers: Clinton Boyd, Harold (Bill) Boyd, Lester Boyd, Wayne Boyd, James Boyd, Kenneth Boyd and Johnny Boyd and 3 great-grand babies. She is survived by her four children: Debra Shafer & husband John of Galena, KS, Donna Pryor & husband Jack of Miami, OK, Doris Shelton of Narcissa, OK and Ernest Simmons & wife Wanda of Stillwater, OK; grandchildren: Kyle Shafer (Kim), Ryan Shafer (Taunie), Dennis Anderson (Jordan), Adam Pryor (Ellie), Megan Bushman (Dakota), Alicia Pryor, Emily Harp (Graham), Whitney Shafer and Moriah Shelton; great-grandchildren: Tori Shafer, Alex Shaffer, Elsie Pryor, Anderson Pryor, Austin Bushman, Hunter Bushman, Adric Hardwood-Bushman, Kole Bushman, Bentley Anderson, and Declan Anderson. She was also called grandma by Jason Gibson & family, Sheila Warrington (Gibson) & family, and Alicia Shelby. Also surviving are brothers-in-law: Darrel Simmons, Miami, OK and Roger Simmons & wife Jeanette, Houston, TX; sisters-in-law Alma Lee Patton, Miami, OK and Pat Simmons, Henryetta, TX and a host of family and friends. Visitation will be held on Monday, August 7, 2023, from 6-8pm at Lone Star Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at 11 am at Lone Star Baptist Church. Reverend Skip McClain and Jason Gibson will officiate. Interment will follow at the Fairland Cemetery under the care of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami. Casket Bearers will be the grandsons. Honorary casket bearers will be the great grandsons. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frances’ name to Lone Star Baptist Church or the Gideons International. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mrs. Simmons’ Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

Frances Louise Simmons

December 8, 1929 - August 3, 2023