Mary Simms

Mary Ellen Simms, 92, of Cape Girardeau, Mo, began her heavenly life with Jesus on March 1, 2019. She was born January 1, 1927 in Thebes, IL to Jay and Zelma Hoover. She graduated from Thebes High School in 1945, where she enjoyed playing competitive sports, especially basketball. She married Richard Kurtz in 1945 and he preceded her in death in 1950. She later married Virble Simms in 1952 and he preceded her in death in 1994. She was a member of Red Star Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

She retired from Central Packing Company where she rarely missed a day. Her work ethic was strong and she even traveled by car - to train - to boat to get to work during times of flooding in Cape.

Mary was a caretaker at heart. She worked hard to provide a good home and family for her children. Her wish at holidays was always, “Let’s have a good meal with all the family.” She enjoyed cooking for others and was known for her fried chicken (her favorite), biscuits and gravy and her weekend pancakes. She loved her sweets! There was always a place at her table and room in her home for one more.

Some of her hobbies included a mean game of checkers, cards, bingo and going to the casino for her “night out”. But her favorite pastime has always been to visit with family as we shared stories. No one left her home without an “I love you.”

All who knew her were blessed by her kindness and her fierce protectiveness of those she loved.

She was a strong woman and preceded in death by two husbands, her mother and father, thirteen brothers and sisters, two children, two grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.

She is survived by three daughters: Helen (Carroll) Wills of Geismar, LA, Linda (Dave) Guthrie of Sikeston, and Pam (Donnie) Howell of Cape Girardeau; one daughter-in-law: Judy Kurtz of Scott City; twelve grandchildren: Lorie (Wayne) Umfleet of Burfordville, Debbie (Brian) Hendrix of Zalma, Randy (Amy) Kurtz of Jackson, Karie (Jordon) Comer of Scott City, Jeff (Michelle) Kurtz of Imperial, Sherry (Tim) Nolan of Scott City, Donna Patterson of Scott City, Diana (Mike) Flynn of Perryville, Justin (Jess) Pattengill of Cape Girardeau, Brandin (Tosha) Pattengill of Benton, Donielle (Daniel) Schuenemeyer of Jackson, and Carly Howell of Cape Girardeau; twenty-six great grandchildren and ten great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5-8 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City, Mo. Funeral service will be at 2pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 with Pastors Jeremy Sells and Frank Worthington officiating.

Burial will be at Lightner Cemetery in Scott City, Mo.

Friends and Family are warmly invited to join us in honoring and celebrating her life.