Celebration of Life for Sara Simmons

Lois Lavelle “Sara” Simmons, 87, passed away November 16, 2021 in Wichita Falls, Texas after a brief illness. A Celebration of Life service will be held for her from 2-4 pm at the First Methodist Church in Mineral Wells, on Sunday, February 27, 2022, under the direction of Rev. Brian Longley.

Sara’s approach to life was to love with a completely open heart, making genuine human connections in even the most unlikely places. She never missed an opportunity to be someone’s answered prayer for help. From her impeccable diction to her meticulous thoughtfulness, she is the definition of eternal grace.

She was born in the home of her maternal grandfather, the Rev. G.C. House, at the Methodist Church parsonage in Bryson, Texas on August 11, 1934 to Ira Duncan and Delois (House) Duncan. Although her legal name was “Lois”, her grandfather quickly nicknamed her “Sara”, because it meant “little princess”, and the name stuck. She attended schools in Jack county and Ft. Worth, graduating as valedictorian in 1952 from Valley View High School in Wichita county, while living with her grandparents at the Methodist parsonage in Valley View. In the fall of 1952, with scholarship in hand, she enrolled at Texas Wesleyan College in Ft. Worth. There she met the love of her life, a farm boy from Vernon, Pat Simmons. They were married July 30, 1954, at Valley View Methodist Church, and lived in Joshua, Texas, where Pat taught and coached at the high school. In August of 1955, their first child, Paul, was born, and in 1956, they moved to Mineral Wells, and in June of 1957, their first daughter, Linda was born. In December of 1964, daughter number two, Christi, arrived.

The great work of Sara’s life was as a mother and caretaker. She was an endlessly devoted housewife and mother until her kids were in school. After which, she pursued her lifelong passion for the medical field as a lab and x-ray technician for Drs. Singleton and Messer in the Baker hotel. She later worked as the secretary to the Mineral Wells ISD superintendent, and also as a substitute teacher.

Sara radiated warmth and inherent kindness, never meeting a ‘stranger’. She was an avid gardener, showered her family and friends with unconditional love, and spent countless hours with them at local sporting events, sharing meals, on ski trips to Colorado, and just sitting down to visit. She loved being “Nana” to her two granddaughters, Amy and Bonnie, gently shaping them with her boundless empathy and support.

Sara relied on her unwavering faith to guide her in comforting others during times of loss or hardship. Still, she never missed a chance to connect through joy or offer a witty quip. Aside from family, friends, and her church, her other big love was… shopping. Her shopping sprees and gift giving was legendary, always sharing her bounty with those she loved. In her later years, she spent many hours caring for her beloved mother, Delois. In 2011, she moved into town after living 40 years in the Salesville community. She was a member of First Methodist Church in Mineral Wells since 1956.

Her love for her family and friends was only exceeded by her love for her Savior, Jesus Christ, whom she looked to in all things during her life. She lived her life well, had a good Christian testimony, and maintained her joyful, gracious spirit until making a peaceful exit to her heavenly home. Sara never let her illness derail her ability to celebrate small blessings and be the light, even in the darkest of days.

Sara was preceded in death by her father Ira Duncan, in 1975, mother Delois Duncan in 2019, her daughter Linda in 2009, and her husband Pat in 2010. She is survived by her son, Paul Simmons and family of Wichita Falls; her daughter Christi Simmons of Dallas; her granddaughters Amy Haley of Austin, and Bonnie Blass of Mechanicsville, Maryland; great grandchildren Bennett, Brooks, and Beau Blass of Mechanicsville, Maryland; and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as many friends from 60+ years of living in Mineral Wells.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Hope Women’s Shelter of Mineral Wells ((940)325-1307) and/or Mineral Wells’ First United Methodist Church (301 NE 1st St, Mineral Wells, TX 76067).

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