It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Rita "Cooky" Simon, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, who departed this life on February 7, 2025. Cooky was born on July 2, 1958, and her life was a testament to the power of love, acceptance, and support.

Cooky was a woman of strong character and a free spirit, truly the pillar of strength for her family. She was their protector, their guide, a gardener tending her family like a carefully nurtured garden. She sowed seeds of love, acceptance, and support that continue to flourish, leaving a legacy of love and unity that will be carried on for generations.

She loved southern cooking and had a proclivity for chocolate, adding a touch of sweetness to every occasion. Her favorite drinks were coffee and an ice-cold MGD, ensuring her presence was always comforting and refreshing. A lover of music, Cooky adored country, rock n' roll, and the blues, which resonated with her strong, vibrant spirit. Her favorite films were Back to the Future and O Brother, Where Art Thou, demonstrating her appreciation for creative storytelling and humor.

Red was her color, representing her fiery spirit and passionate heart. Cooky filled her free time with crocheting or knitting while engrossed in cheesy Westerns, Sci-Fi or horror movies, embodying her love for creativity, suspense, and adventure.

Preceded in death by her parents, Edna Ruth and Billy Ray Higginbotham Sr., Cooky is survived by her devoted husband, Tim Simon, and her loving daughters, Monica Torres, Bonny Turken, Stephanie Thompson, and Summer Stevenson. She also leaves behind to cherish her memory, her grandsons, Mateo Fernandez, Billy Scholz, and Timothy Scholz.

Cooky's spirit and love will forever remain in the hearts of those she has left behind. Her legacy is a family that embodies the virtues she held dear - love, acceptance, and support. She sowed these seeds and tended to her garden with grace and steadfastness, showcasing her heart of gold. May her soul rest in eternal peace and her legacy continue to bloom in the lives of her loved ones.

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