By Staff
Carolyn Lindsley Simmons 87 died October 22, 2010. A funeral will be conducted at Memorial Baptist Church on Monday at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Williamston.
Mrs. Simmons was born in Norfolk Virginia in 1923. She moved to Williamston with her family where her father Lawrence established and owned several businesses including Lindsley Implement John Deer Company, a grocery store, feed store, and an ice and coal plant. Mrs. Simmons graduated from Williamston High School and attended Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She was married in 1943 to her loving husband, Dampy Lee Simmons, who preceded her in death in 1986. It was a wonderful marriage. Mrs. Simmons was a homemaker and a most dedicated Christian.
She was a member of Memorial Baptist Church and served five three year terms as a deacon.
On September 27, 2009, the diaconate of the church bestowed the honor of Deacon Emeritus. This honor went to Mrs. Simmons who had given outstanding meritorious and loyal service to the church and board of deacons. Mrs. Simmons was a Sunday School teacher for 18 years. She served twice as a director/president of the Women’s Missionary Union, 1976-1977 and 1979-80. She was also Lina Martin Circle leader for 10 years. She has often been remembered for her excellent programs given at the monthly general meetings and her circle meetings. Mrs. Simmons was a member of the Fellowship Committee and a Trustee of the Church. She was instrumental in the establishment of the first library at the church. Also, she was involved in the tape ministry and walked the halls of hospitals and nursing homes visiting church members and friends until her back and legs could not take her any longer. She taught G.A.’s for six years and served as church outreach leader visiting new families and prospective members. She was a Vintage Inn speaker for two years and was one of the original Senior Saints choir members.
Carolyn served her community as a 50 year plus member of the Williamston Woman’s Club. She was corresponding secretary of the general club and president, secretary, and treasurer of the Green Thumb Garden Club.
Being a kind, loving, sensitive, and compassionate person, she always put the needs of others’ first. Carolyn was quite generous not only to people and organizations the community, but to charities, her church, and the world wide community.
Her family and extended church family were the delight of her life. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. All who knew her loved her. She loved traveling and all things in nature; especially birds and flowers.
Survivors include daughters Carolyn Simmons Courtney and husband Ben Haywood Courtney of Williamston, daughter Mary Ellen Jackson and husband Ray Jackson of Rocky Mount; and granddaughters Dr. Mimi Courtney Arnold and husband Alan of Houston, Texas and Mrs. Laura Courtney Kirby and husband Matt of Raleigh, NC Ms. Sarah Elizabeth Jackson of Rocky Mount, and grandson Mr. Benjamin Simmons Courtney of Williamston and six great grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Biggs Funeral Home on Sunday Oct. 24 and at other times at her home. Flowers are welcomed and memorials can be made to. the D.L. Simmons Memorial Fund at Memorial Baptist Church.
Paid Obituary