Betty Lucille Simmons

Betty Lucille Simmons, 89 of Henrico, Va took the Lord’s hand and went to her eternal home early the afternoon of April 9, 2025. Betty was a great wife and mother and the consummate military wife, following husband Tom to duty assignments throughout the states and in Europe, raising her children and supporting the other military families. In one of these assignments, she found her calling as an elementary school teacher and enhanced the lives of so many students with her charm, dedication and kindness. She was the “Yellow Rose of Texas” with “her eyes that shined like diamonds” for everyone who had the good fortune to meet her. Anyone who tasted her pecan pie was spoiled for life.

She is preceded in death by her daughter Deborah Lou (Simmons) Smith of Richmond, Virginia, father and mother Robert O Lewis and Mittie Gertrude (Feazel) Lewis of DeKalb, Texas, brothers James Earl Lewis of DeKalb, Tx, John Oliver Lewis of Texas City Tx, Arthur Wayne (Buck) Lewis of DeKalb, Tx, sisters Ella Ruth Lewis of New Boston, Tx and Reba Nell (Sandy) Lewis of New Boston, Tx. She is survived by her loving husband Thomas N Simmons of Henrico, Va, daughter Dwan (Simmons) Padilla of Pacifica, Ca, and son Thomas N Simmons Jr of Fairfax, Va along with 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren and sisters Gloria Wanda (Lewis) Ennis of Peoria, Il and Nota Lewis of Tom, Ok.

A memorial service will be conducted at River Road Methodist Church, 8800 River Rd, Henrico, VA 23229 on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM. And for those who knew her well, you can hear her say, “Gee willickers, I don’t need anything” so in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Betty’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association.

In the words of “You are My Sunshine”, Betty made us all happy when skies were gray, and we believe she really did know how much we love her. God hasn’t taken our sunshine away, because every time we see the rays from above, we’ll know she is still “my Sunshine”