Annye Simmons

Annye Mae VanLear Simmons of McDowell died Saturday, Aug. 28, 2004 at her residence. She was born April 17, 1915 in the Waynesboro Virginia Hospital, a daughter of the late Forrest and Maude VanLear. She was baptized October 11, 1925 in the Clifton Forge Baptist Church.

As a child she would leave school every day in Clifton Forge and would get on the train to travel to Staunton. After arriving in Staunton, she would walk from the train station to the Manch School of Music for her piano and voice lessons. After the lesson, Mrs. Simmons would walk to the YWCA, do her homework, swim and then walk to the train station from the return trip home.

Her music education would advance from the Manch School of Music to the Institute of Music and Art at the University of Virginia, and the Washington, D.C. Institute of Music.

During World War II, she served with the Women’s Police stationed in Arlington; during the time she met her soon to be husband, Sidney, after failing him on his driving license test.

Mr. and Mrs. Simmons celebrated their 60 ^th wedding anniversary on March 9, 2004.

Mrs. Simmons was a retired opera soprano, piano, and voice teacher in Washington D.C., Arlington and McDowell.

She loved her Lord and served him through all aspects of her life and served at the Southern Baptist Convention, Clarendon Baptist Church in Arlington and the Linden Heights Baptist Church in Staunton. She also served as the superintendent of the Women’s Missionary Union in the Mount Vernon Association from 1965 to 1967.

Mrs. Simmons was a member of the Stonewall Woman’s Club, the Bull Pasture Extension Club and was active within the communities of Arlington and McDowell.

Her parents, Forrest and Maude VanLear of Mt. Sidney and a brother, Robert Perry VanLear of Verona, preceded her in death.

Surviving family includes her husband, Sidney L. Simmons of McDowell; her daughter, Dr. Lyn Ann Weaver and husband Norris of Ocean Isle, N.C.; her son, Sidney Forrest Simmons of Staunton; three grandchildren, Nicole Regis and husband Jimmy of Staunton, Tonya Bower and husband Tommy of Harrisonburg and Kelly Ann Cousins of Staunton; six great-grandchildren, Jessica Regis, Courtney, Justin and Sydney Bower, Kyle and Jacob Cousins; a brother, Glen Allen VanLear and wife Joyce of Staunton; a nephew, Mark VanLear of Churchville; two nieces Andrea Earman and Leslie VanLear, both of Staunton; a great-niece, Lauren Gonzales and a great-nephew, Nicolas Roadcap, both of Staunton. Lifelong friends include Ruth Young and Evelyn Carr of Roanoke. Special friends include Marie Thacker, Kathy Puffenbarger, JoAnn Siron; all of the Home Health and hospice caregivers and friends and neighbors in the Washington, D.C., Arlington, McDowell, Harrisonburg and Staunton areas.

Mrs. Simmons was loved and admired by all of the people she met throughout her wonderful life. Everyone will miss a great woman, wife, mother and friend.

The Rev. David Anderseon conducted a funeral service at 11 a.m., Wednesday, September 1, at the Linden Heights Baptist Church in Staunton. Burial was in Augusta Memorial Park.

Active pallbearers were Sheldon Bowers, George Fox, Harry Johnson, Paul Fravel, Jimmy Regis, Lynwood Lam and Wilson Pitchford.

Honorary pallbearers were members of Dorcas/Ruth Sunday School Class.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Highlands, P.O. Drawer Z, Hot Springs, Va. 24445.