Vanita Simmons' Obituary
Vanita M. Simmons, 88, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2017. She was preceded by her birth father, Wesley Rhodes, father, Burke L. and mother Myrtle Jones. Born in Rison, AR. on February 11, 1929. The family moved to Little Rock after her elementary school years and graduated from Little Rock High School. She attended Little Rock Junior College that is now currently known as University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She was in numerous beauty contests and chosen as beauty queen and maid in many contests. She met her future husband while waiting for a street car going to an organ lesson. “Doc” was a medical student at UA and they were wed during his senior year on June 17, 1950. As a military family they moved to Bethesda, MD. at Walter Reed Hospital where their oldest son, Joe was born, then to El Paso, TX. at Fort Bliss Hospital where their second son Tom was born. From there they moved on to Seagraves, TX. where their daughter Laura was born. The family moved to Memphis where she spent her remaining years. She was known as a beautiful lady inside and out and also a magnificent cook, loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Vanita is survived by, husband of 67 years, Jim “Doc”, sons, Joe (Becky), Tom (Cynthia) and daughter, Laura (Paige ) Martin. Five grandchildren, Wes (Nancy), Jordan, Bonnie (Jeff), Will (becca) and Ashley (David), 11 great grandchildren, Emily, Kate, Emmett, Camden, Anderson Burke, Evelyn, Anna Kate, Benjamin, Bethany, Michael and Matthew. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 18 from 12:00-1:00 with the service to follow immediately at 1:00. All services will be held at Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
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