Obituary of Miriam A. Simmons

Miriam A. "Jerry" Simmons, 92, formerly of Panama, died at 12:26 a.m. Monday, June 25, 2012 at the Lutheran Home & Rehabilitation Center. She was the widow of Floyd R. Simmons whom she married March 20, 1937 and who died November 2, 1998. Jerry was born September 5, 1919 in Ashville, NY, a daughter of the late Lyle and Allene Phelps Schermerhorn, and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1936. She had been employed by Panama Central School, working in the school cafeteria for 16 years. She was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church, the Harmony Senior Citizens and Harmony Historical Society, as well as the Panama Union Cemetery Assoc. Jerry loved travel and enjoyed her home in Florida for many years. She also was a great walker and could be seen walking often in Panama. Surviving are three sons, James R. (Nancy) Simmons of Ashville, David J. (Linda) Simmons of Panama and Roy E. (Karen) Simmons of Groton, NY; eight grandchildren: James (Rhonda) Simmons Jr., Timothy Simmons, Rhonda (Charles) Dodson, Jolene (Jason) Ayres, Wendy (Brian) Behler, Joshua (Heather) Simmons, Jenny (Adam) Kostera and Jacob (Heather) Simmons; and twelve great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Elliott Schermerhorn; a sister, Pauline Simmons; and her granddaughter-in-law, Dawn Simmons. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Rodney Sprowls will officiate. Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Ashville. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and for one hour prior to the service in the funeral home Thursday. The family suggests memorials be made to the Lutheran Social Services Foundation, 715 Falconer St., Jamestown, NY 14701; or to Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750.