Alice Simmons

Alice Elizabeth Simmons was born in Laurel, Mississippi on the 21st of January 1933, and passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at Bristol Park Memory Care in Cypress, Texas, on Friday, the 16th of December 2022. She was 89 years of age.

Alice was born to Dewey and Irene Morgan and was preceded in birth by one sister, Ann, who lovingly referred to her as “Dodgie,” as she tried to pronounce the word “Dolly,” a nickname that would remain throughout her life.

Alice was raised in Laurel, Mississippi, where she attended high school and was on the cheerleading squad. After graduation, she attended Mississippi Women’s University earning her degree. Shortly afterward, she followed Ann to Houston and began a lifelong career in education where she taught special education in the same classroom at Benbrook Elementary for over 35 years until her retirement at the age of 57.

On the 15th of May 1976, Alice married William Duncan Simmons and welcomed his four children into her life. Alice and Duncan remained married for 45 years until his passing on the 8th of May 2021.

Alice enjoyed learning. She continued her education and earned two master’s degrees. She also enjoyed crafting and sewing. For many years, she made clothing for stuffed bears that she elaborately displayed in her yard in Jersey Village for the neighborhood residents to enjoy. She was affectionately known as “The Bear Lady.” This talent earned her a newspaper article and a segment on the local news.

Alice was preceded in death by her husband, William Duncan Simmons; father, Dewey Morgan; mother, Irene Terry; stepfather, Charles “Charlie” Terry; sister, Ann Shepard, and one nephew, William “Bill” Rader.

Those left to honor her memory are her four stepchildren and their spouses, Holly and Mike Robideau, Walt Simmons, Richard and Shannon Simmons, and Susannah and Clay Griffin; as well as members of her Mississippi family, which include a nephew, Frank Rader; and a cousin, Lisa Morgan. Additionally, she leaves behind numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Bristol Park Memory Care for the love and attention given to Alice during the last several months.

A celebration honoring of the life of Alice Elizabeth Simmons is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 6th of January in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

Interment will follow the reception at half-past one o’clock, via an escorted cortege, at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.