Marie Christopher Simmons, 96 of Waynesburg went to be with the Lord on December 15th, 2021 in the loving home of her daughter, Sandy, where she resided for the last 7 years. She was a loving mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, friend and servant to our Lord.
She was born November 9th, 1925 in Pisgah, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Kermit and Mary O’Neal Christopher.
Marie was a 1947 graduate of Waynesburg College with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and later received a Master of Arts Degree from West Virginia University.
During the Second World War, she was a welder at US Steel in Pittsburgh and a Society Editor for the Democrat Messenger. Mrs. Simmons taught in the Central Greene School District and later founded the Title IV Daycare program under the auspices of Washington- Greene Community Action Corporation, which is now the current Blueprints Preschool Program. She directed this program until she retired in 1986.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Waynesburg where she served as an elder, a deacon, Sunday School teacher, mission commission member, and presently Evangelism and Parish Life member.
For many years she was a member of the Greene County Country Club, Waynesburg Library Club, and Social Service League. She was a joy to all those who encountered her.
On June 28, 1947, she married Harold E. Simmons who died on April 12, 1985.
Surviving are son Thomas Mark Simmons of Pittsburgh; two daughters, Joyce (William) Denman of Dover, DE, and Sandra Throckmorton (Bruce Whetsel) of Waynesburg; 10 grandchildren, Nathan (Michelle) Simmons, David (Megan) Simmons, Mark Throckmorton, Thomas Simmons, Jamie Denman, Amanda (Adam) Dicken, Kevin (Hillary) Denman, Scott (Karlee) Throckmorton, Michael Denman, and Alyssa Throckmorton; 9 great grandchildren, Amelia Simmons, Logan Dicken, Harlan Simmons, Olivia Throckmorton, Vada Dicken, Ronan Simmons, Kodak Throckmorton, Jude Denman, and Tacora Throckmorton; four brothers, Sheldon, Eldon, and John Christopher of Carmichaels and Larry Christopher of Casa Grande, AZ; a sister, Shirley Romine of Carmichaels; and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to recognize and thank her long-time caregiver, Angie Spitznogle for her love and compassion.
Deceased siblings are Eugenia Kuran, Doreen Kaufmann, Kathleen Christopher, Dixie Robinson, Lois Wogksch, Kermit Christopher and Gary Christopher.
In following with the guidelines of wearing masks and distancing, friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, December 20, 2021 in the Behm Funeral Home, 182 W. High St., Waynesburg, PA 15370. Services will be held on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church, 169 W. College Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370 with Pastor Mike Haddox officiating. Interment will follow in Greene County Memorial Park, Waynesburg. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Habitat for Humanity or Waynesburg University. Condolences may be expressed online at www.behmfh.com.
