State Road Mrs. Vesta Mathis Simmons, age 90, of Ebenezer Church Road, passed away Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at Hugh Chatham Nursing Center. Mrs. Simmons was born January 11, 1918 in Wilkes County to Jones & Kate Thorton Mathis. Mrs. Simmons was retired from Elkin City Schools and was a member of Elkin Valley Baptist Church where she was a Sunday School Teacher and worked with the Vacation Bible School. She was also a member of the Home Demonstration Club. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Garvey W. Simmons; a daughter, Carol Wagner. Survivors include: a son, David Simmons and wife Amy of Mechanicsburg, PA; a daughter, Lydia Stowe and husband Alan of Summerfield, NC; a son-in-law, Ronnie Wagner of Winston-Salem; a brother, Phillip Mathis of Elkin; two sisters, Myrtle Hayes and Vennie Stanley both of Elkin; five grandchildren, Angela Gordy, Jamie Wagner, Lindsay Lima, Jean Bradley, Deva Simmons; two great grandchildren, Corey Gordy, Shelby Gordy. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. at Elkin Valley Baptist Church by Rev. Johnny Blevins. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Elkin Valley Baptist Church, 118 N. Elkin Drive or to Hugh Chatham Nursing Center Activities Fund, 700 Johnson Ridge Road, Elkin, NC 28621. Online condolences may be made at www.hodgesfuneralhomeinc.com Hodges Funeral Home in Elkin is serving the Vesta Simmons family.
