Mary Simmons
Mary Simmons
May 24, 1931 – December 17, 2023
Mary Catherine (Schmidt) Simmons, age 92, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 17, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on May 24, 1931 to Ella Brieden and George Schmidt in Devine, Texas. Mary, a lifelong Catholic, grew up on their family farm near Devine, Texas, sharing many of the joys and chores of farm life with her family. She attended Devine High School and was very active in band, student council, and loved athletics her whole life. She moved to the big city of San Antonio to attend Incarnate Word Nursing School, graduating as an R.N. and becoming a surgical nurse at Santa Rosa Hospital. Mary met the love of her life, 1st Sergeant Talmadge (Tal) Simmons of Central Florida, on a blind date to a USO dance where they began their love of dancing together. They married and made their home in north San Antonio.
They were very involved in raising their five children. Mary spent time both as a working mom and a stay-at-home mom. From scouting, athletics, FFA, to choir and many other activities, she supported her kids in every way she could. For 35 years, at their home on 3 acres in Shavano Park, she enjoyed gardening along with canning and preserving the fruits of their large garden and orchard. She loved bowling, Altar Society, and assisted as a volunteer school nurse at St. Gregory Catholic Elementary School. Along with Tal, she had such good times entertaining family and friends, and hosted more BBQs than you could count along with volleyball, horseshoes, and having musical jam sessions. One of her favorite things in life was being with extended family whether it be at the family farm in Devine, various Texas towns, and at Lake Wales and Tampa, Florida. She also dearly loved outings with friends from Handy Andy where her husband worked for 33 years.
As her children grew up she returned to nursing as an R.N. at several nursing homes. She was very dedicated and much needed in providing care and compassion to her patients. After this she worked for Baptist Health Systems training other nurses. She also adored spending much time with her grandchildren whether at home or spending time watching them in their activities. After Tal passed away, she enjoyed traveling with her sister, Sr. Sylvia, AKA the N&N sisters (nurse/nun). Mary attended many church activities and became a Eucharistic Minister at St. Francis of Assisi, ministering both at Masses and in Ministry to the Homebound bringing Holy Communion to those who were no longer able to come to Mass. She was a woman of prayer in many ways including saying the daily Rosary. The Lord was her greatest consolation.
Mary Schmidt Simmons was a phenomenon in being happy and able to live on her own with help from her dedicated children until the age of 92. She was a blessing to everyone she knew! In her last days on Earth, she continually remarked on how much she desired to be in Heaven with the Lord and her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Joseph, George, Julius, Francis, Patricia (Sr. Sylvia), Kenneth (Kenny); her beloved husband of 51 years, Talmadge (Tal) Simmons, her son, Richard and her daughter-in-law Lorie Simmons. Mary is survived by her children, Dennis Simmons (Terry), Ernie Simmons (Angela), Jim Simmons, Don Simmons (Holly), Beth Shepherd (Casey); and 9 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family members.
We would like this to be a celebration of Mary’s life. Please wear bright colors to the services. The family will receive visitors beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 19, 2024 at Porter Loring Mortuary North.