Luella Beth Simmons

Luella Beth “Betty” Simmons, 95, of Wamego, KS, passed away Friday evening November 2, 2007 at Valley Vista Good Samaritan Center in Wamego. She was born on January 2, 1912, in Allen, Kansas, the daughter of Harry W. and Elma L. (Conrad) Leavell. On September 1, 1928, Betty married Merle D. Simmons in Emporia, Kansas. Merle preceded her in death in 1975. For several years she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Newman Memorial Hospital in Emporia. After her retirement, she lived in Emporia from 1978 until 1998. She then moved to Wamego to be closer to her children. Betty was a member of the United Methodist Church of Wamego, a Sunday school teacher in Allen, and also a member of the Ladies Aid Society and W.S.C.S., both in Allen. She was an avid gardener and had the healthiest flowers and vegetable garden. What ever she touched seemed to grow. Especially her African Violets, of which she became quite an authority. She also loved to read, and was an avid reader of her Bible. Her survivors include: her daughters, Carol Bryson and husband Arlon of Wamego, KS, Judith Boline and husband Leonard of Gardner, KS, and Susan Partridge and husband Chuck of Wamego, KS; her sons, Lawrence Simmons and wife Jan of Wichita, KS, Bruce Simmons and wife Joye of Olney, TX, and David Simmons and wife Connie of Blytheville, AR; 18 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Martha Elizabeth Simmons; three sisters, Eva, Ina, and Lucille and three brothers, Llewelyn, Lee, and Dale. In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Wamego Public Library, Heart of America Hospice, or the First United Methodist Church of Wamego Building Fund, and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, 66547.