Rosemary Simmons

Rosemary Simmons was an extraordinary person to know and love. She accomplished so much of which to be proud. Using her time and talent, she has artwork all over the world, she was a published poet and the community around her would stop to visit her flower beds. After spending just a few moments with Rosemary’s family, it was easy to see that her life was firmly rooted in something deeper, and that was her faith. Second only to her faith was the love she had for her family, and there was nothing she treasured more than being surrounded by her loved ones. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Rosemary created a legacy that will be carried on by those who follow.

Rosemary was born to John and Ethel (Kelly) Webb in Kitts Hill, Ohio on January 26, 1924. Her father was a farmer, coal miner and timber man while her mother was a homemaker. Being the oldest daughter, Rosemary helped raise her younger 8 brothers and sisters. Rosemary attended local schools where she loved both art and music and won scholarships in academics and art. Rosemary went on to graduate from Mason-Aid High School.

Rosemary met Albert Simmons, when she was just a young girl of 15. They became high school sweethearts and fell deeply in love. Al and Rosemary were married on May 8, 1944, while he was home on leave from the Navy.

With his military duties fulfilled, Al was discharged on November 13, 1945, and returned home to his bride in the Detroit area where he worked as an operating engineer. Rosemary had been working as a quality control inspector for Lock-Heed during the war, but with the war’s end she was no longer needed in the workforce. She focused her time and attention at home with more than enough to do as their home was filled with six children, Patricia, Maggie, Tom, Deb, Mark, and Mike. As a family they frequently went back to visit the farm in Ohio since it was Rosemary’s favorite place on earth. The kids loved it there with so many hills to climb and land to explore. Rosemary was a fine southern cook who made the world’s best fried chicken, southern green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade biscuits, and apple pie. Rosemary was calm, patient, and gracious, which are all great qualities to have as a mother.

In addition to being devoted to her family, Rosemary was deeply devoted to her faith. As a longtime member of several churches in the Southfield area, she was actively involved in the altar guild, the choirs and the bell choir. Rosemary had the most beautiful alto singing voice.

Throughout her life Rosemary was a woman of many interests. She loved classical music, although she really enjoyed any kind of music. She was also an avid reader. As her family and friends can attest, Rosemary’s strength came from her Bible. Her favorite verses were Psalm 19:14 and Psalm 23. It was both her faith and the unwavering love of her family that sustained her during the days following Al’s death on March 24, 2004.

With unending love for others, Rosemary Simmons was a blessing to everyone she met. She had the most beautiful smile and a great sense of humor with a warm demeanor that made others comfortable. Rosemary was a devoted wife and mother who offered strength and wisdom to her family who knew that any problem could be solved with a hot cup of tea and a soggy tuna salad sandwich. She will never be forgotten and forever missed.

Rosemary E. Simmons, of Vicksburg, died on Sunday, May 24, 2015. Rosemary’s family includes her six children: Patricia (Richard) Beaty, of Vicksburg; Margaret Dooley, of Vicksburg; Thomas (Carol Ann), of Lake Orion; Deborah (Sam) Glascock, of Schoolcraft; Mark (Sharon), of Gobles; and Michael (Diane), of Alabama; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren (soon to be 14); and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband, Albert in 2004 and two grandsons: Sean Michael and Damon. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg (269-649-1697). A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Please visit Rosemary’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign her guestbook and share a memory and/or photo. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Alzheimer’s Association and/or Salvation Army.