Lydia Eleanor Simmons

Lydia Eleanor Libera Simmons, 100, passed away Tuesday, October 4, 2011 4 days short of her 101st birthday. She was an active lifelong member of First Lutheran Church and lived a Christian Life. Mrs. Simmons attended the University of Chattanooga and had worked for many years at Northside Neighborhood House Thrift Shop as a cashier until she was 93 years old. She always made time for others and was an avid gardener, loved needlepoint and crochet and was a lover of birds and other animals including her two cats, Snowy and Snowball.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Robert Simmons; daughter, Sandra McElroy; parents, Ernest and Clara Libera; three brothers, Oscar Libera, Herman Libera and August Libera; two sisters, Henrietta Turner and Anna Lemley.

Survivors include her son, Monty Simmons of Chattanooga; two daughters, Pat Vandergriff of Hixson, TN and Carol Simmons of Chattanooga; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1 PM Friday at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Mark McCrory officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-8 PM Wednesday and Thursday at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 404 South Moore Road.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church 2800 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404.