1918
Helen
2012
Helen Simmons
April 12, 1918 — January 7, 2012
Helen Anna Marshall Simmons, Ph.D., departed this life on Saturday, January 7, 2012, at 7:30 pm at the age of 93.
Helen was born on April 12, 1918, in the community of Peck, Carroll County, VA. Her father was Callie Hugh Marshall and her mother was Helen Florence Weedman Marshall.
Helen attended grammar school in Willis, VA and high school in Dublin, VA. She was Valedictorian of her graduating class. She obtained her undergraduate college degree from Radford College in 1940 and after graduation began her teaching career as a Home Economics Teacher. Subsequent to commencing her teaching career she contracted Tuberculosis and was confined to Catawba Sanitarium for approximately two years.
In May, 1942, Helen married Leamon E. Simmons, who predeceased her on December 1, 1979. Leamon was a practicing Certified Public Accountant in Christiansburg from 1954 to 1977 when he retired. After her marriage, Helen moved with her husband to Topeka, KS, where she taught Home Economics at Auburn High School, Shawnee County, KS. Helen’s oldest child, Joseph L. Simmons, was born in 1949 in Topeka, KS. In 1952 the Simmons family moved to Salem, VA, and James R. (Bo) Simmons was born there in 1952. Bo predeceased his mother in 2002. In 1953 & 1954 Helen taught Home Economics at Maywood School in Craig County, VA. Beginning in the fall of 1954 Helen taught Home Economics at Christiansburg High School in Montgomery County, VA.
In 1959 Helen received her Master’s Degree in education from VPI & SU. In 1961 Helen had her third son, John D. Simmons, who survives her. After the birth of John, Helen returned to teaching Home Economics at Shawsville High School in Montgomery County, VA. In 1972, Helen began doctorial studies at VPI & SU and completed her dissertation in May 1976 and received her Doctor of Education from VPI & SU at that time.
Helen was always active in church and community. She was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for 57 years. She taught for years in the Bible Study Fellowship program. She was active in the Christiansburg Women’s Club and in her elder years committed a substantial amount of her time to working with the local mental health organizations and the Social Club.
Helen’s first love was always teaching Home Economics and her students. Helen will be dearly missed by her sons, Joe and John and her extended family and the New River Valley community, with which she was always engaged.
Helen will receive a private burial after a visitation from 10:30 to 11:30 am on Saturday, January 14, 2012, at the Horne Funeral Home.
The family especially wants to thank surgeon David Stoeckle, whose surgical procedure on her collapsed lung added many quality years to Helen’s life. Thank you.
Helen was born on April 12, 1918, in the community of Peck, Carroll County, VA. Her father was Callie Hugh Marshall and her mother was Helen Florence Weedman Marshall.
Helen attended grammar school in Willis, VA and high school in Dublin, VA. She was Valedictorian of her graduating class. She obtained her undergraduate college degree from Radford College in 1940 and after graduation began her teaching career as a Home Economics Teacher. Subsequent to commencing her teaching career she contracted Tuberculosis and was confined to Catawba Sanitarium for approximately two years.
In May, 1942, Helen married Leamon E. Simmons, who predeceased her on December 1, 1979. Leamon was a practicing Certified Public Accountant in Christiansburg from 1954 to 1977 when he retired. After her marriage, Helen moved with her husband to Topeka, KS, where she taught Home Economics at Auburn High School, Shawnee County, KS. Helen’s oldest child, Joseph L. Simmons, was born in 1949 in Topeka, KS. In 1952 the Simmons family moved to Salem, VA, and James R. (Bo) Simmons was born there in 1952. Bo predeceased his mother in 2002. In 1953 & 1954 Helen taught Home Economics at Maywood School in Craig County, VA. Beginning in the fall of 1954 Helen taught Home Economics at Christiansburg High School in Montgomery County, VA.
In 1959 Helen received her Master’s Degree in education from VPI & SU. In 1961 Helen had her third son, John D. Simmons, who survives her. After the birth of John, Helen returned to teaching Home Economics at Shawsville High School in Montgomery County, VA. In 1972, Helen began doctorial studies at VPI & SU and completed her dissertation in May 1976 and received her Doctor of Education from VPI & SU at that time.
Helen was always active in church and community. She was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for 57 years. She taught for years in the Bible Study Fellowship program. She was active in the Christiansburg Women’s Club and in her elder years committed a substantial amount of her time to working with the local mental health organizations and the Social Club.
Helen’s first love was always teaching Home Economics and her students. Helen will be dearly missed by her sons, Joe and John and her extended family and the New River Valley community, with which she was always engaged.
Helen will receive a private burial after a visitation from 10:30 to 11:30 am on Saturday, January 14, 2012, at the Horne Funeral Home.
The family especially wants to thank surgeon David Stoeckle, whose surgical procedure on her collapsed lung added many quality years to Helen’s life. Thank you.
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