Betty Gray Simmons

Born July 25, 1943 in Birmingham, Alabama to Walter Lynn and Pernia Alldredge Gray, Betty was a graduate of Blountsville J.B. Pennington High School. She earned education degrees from Jacksonville State University and the University of Montevallo. She retired from the Shelby County Board of Education, a long tenured history teacher at Alabaster Thompson High School. She was an active member and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church Alabaster, Alabama.

Betty is survived by her husband of 56 years, James Larry Simmons; daughters and sons, Andra and Brett Opalinski of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Barclay and Amy Simmons of Birmingham; five granddaughters, Margaret Katherine Simmons, Anna Brook Opalinski, Emily Clare Opalinski, Catherine Marie Miller, and Anna Louise Miller; one grandson, James Andrew Jackson Simmons; sisters and brothers, Joe and Mary Lou Gray of Blountsville, Alabama, Gail Gray Sims of Gadsden, Alabama, Marcel and Norman Fleming of Florence, Alabama, and Billy and Geraldine Simmons of Hayden, Alabama. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Lynn and Pernia Alldredge Gray, and James Thomas and Rilla Cox Simmons; and a daughter, Melinda Mundy Simmons.

The family will greet friends from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, October 3, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Alabaster, Alabama, followed by the funeral service at 3 p.m. at the church. Burial will be at Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham. Rev. Michael Byers, Rev. Brett Opalinski, and Rev. Steve Andrews will officiate.

The family requests that everyone attending the visitation and service please wear a face mask.