Carol Simmons

Carol Jean Simmons, 82, of Blue Grass, was reunited with her husband in heaven upon her passing on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at Shenandoah Nursing and Rehab in Fishersville.

She was born in Strait Creek on October 10, 1937, the daughter of the late Audrey Lou (Harper) and Henry Martin Beverage. On September 28, 1957 she married Carl Lee Simmons, who preceded her in death by only two days.

Mrs. Simmons, a woman of considerable faith, was a member of Blue Grass United Methodist Church. She had worked as a seamstress at Aileen Sewing Factory, a custodian at Highland Data and ultimately finished her working career as an assistant postmaster at the Blue Grass Post Office.

Carol Jean will be remembered as a protective, loving and nurturing “mama bear,” who could become very feisty when it came to her children. She enjoyed time spent sewing, crocheting, and was an awesome seamstress. Mrs. Simmons spent countless hours working her garden and canning her summer bounty to provide for the winters ahead. She loved cooking and baking, making sure no one left her home hungry. Many will recall that Carol Jean was especially fond of her flowers and beloved cats. Above all, she will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister.

The matriarch of the family she will be lovingly missed by her daughter, Elizabeth “Liz” Varner and husband, Edward “Eddie” of Stuarts Draft; two sons, Wilton Simmons and wife, Tammy and Stu Simmons and special friend, Ginger Morgan, all of Blue Grass; grandchildren, Wendy Ware and husband, Anthony of Buckhannon, W.V, Russell Varner of Stuarts Draft and Tyler Arbaugh of Blue Grass; great-granddaughter, Victoria Harmon of Buckhannon, W.Va.; brother, Jack Beverage and wife, Thelma of Strait Creek;  as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a brother, William “Dale” Beverage.

A joint funeral service for both Carol Jean and her husband, Carl Lee, will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, December 12, 2019 at Blue Grass United Methodist Church with the Rev. Andre Crummett officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Grass Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church and at other times at the homes of the children.

Active pallbearers will be Junior and Chad Kimble, J.D. Hiner, Chris Swecker, Jason Newlen, Pat Hull, Tony Ware and Rob “Barney” Warner.

Honorary pallbearers will be friends attending the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Grass Cemetery, 3042 Blue Grass Valley Road, Blue Grass, Va. 24413.