Stella Simmons

Stella Louise Simmons, daughter of the late Hershel and Katherine Tanner Akridge, was born in Gideon, Missouri on August 18, 1948, and passed away at her home in Catron on December 4, 2012, at the age of 64 years, 3 months and 16 days. She had lived in St. Louis until moving to Catron 43 years ago. She was a member of the Baptist Church in Catron. She had operated Simmons Grocery and helped manage Melvin Simmons Used Cars. On January 5, 1967, she was married to Melvin Simmons in St. Louis, Missouri. Surviving are her husband, Melvin Simmons of Catron; three children, Gene Simmons and Shawn Simmons both of Catron, Tammy Whiffen of Matthews; two grandchildren, Matthew Simmons and Kyle Whiffen; 7 sisters, Gerry Koidan of Orville, California, Lola Barks of Dexter, Joyce Haddock of Waynesboro, Tennessee, Betty Lawson of Fordland, Missouri, Linda Parker of Independence, Missouri, Kathy Schaffer of Knoxville, Tennessee, Sherry Decker of New Madrid, Missouri; 4 brothers, Freddie Akridge and Earschel Akridge both of Catron, Wayne Akridge of Memphis, Tennessee, and Ricky Akridge of Hohenwald, Tennessee. Other relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by one sister, Joan Akridge, and one brother, Kenny Akridge. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2012, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Parma, Missouri. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 7, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the Catron Baptist Church in Catron, Missouri with the Rev. Jimmy Johnson of Portageville, Missouri officiating. Interment will be in the Mounds Cemetery near New Madrid, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Parma, Missouri in charge of arrangements.