Mrs. Shirley E. Simkins, Abingdon Chapel
Shirley Elaine Simkins, age 82 of Abingdon, died at 10:33 am Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at the Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville.
Shirley was born on May 5, 1930 in Galesburg, the daughter of Ernest and Cecile (Collins) Roberson. She married Ross “Jack” Simkins on October 14, 1951 in Abingdon. Jack passed away on April 1, 1987. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her older sister, Marilyn Butler of Abingdon.
Shirley is survived by her three children: Sherry (Bob) Bilbo of Seymour, Tennessee; Cynthia (John) Mangieri of Davenport, Iowa; and Thomas (Marcy) Simkins of Galesburg. She was openly proud of her seven loving grandchildren: Jackie, Grace, and Louis Mangieri, John and Jane Simkins, Joseph (Elena) Bilbo, and Jennifer (Joe) Fisher. She had five great-grandchildren: Hudson, Brody, Colton, and Dawson Fisher, and Lauren Bilbo. Shirley’s brother, Charles “Chuck” (Helen) Roberson resides in Alexandria, Virginia and her sister, Jean Wolford, currently lives in Wilmore, Kentucky. She leaves behind several nieces and nephews.
Shirley graduated from Abingdon High School in 1948 and from the Galesburg Cottage Hospital School of Nursing in 1951. While in high school she worked at the former Sand’s Pharmacy and Bird’s Insurance, both in Abingdon. After receiving her nursing degree, she worked for 33 years as a Registered Nurse, many of those as a supervisor at the Galesburg Mental Health Center, before retiring in 1984. She was a full-time, after-hours homemaker, spending her “spare” time at her kids’ athletic and school events while helping Jack with the bookwork of his general contracting business.
She was a member of the Abingdon Christian Church. She enjoyed singing in the church choir and the community church choir. She was a member of the Kum Dubble Klass, the Jean Wolford Circle, and the Jolly Grandmother’s Club. She organized funeral dinners at her church for many years while also assisting with meals for Faith Weavers and Vacation Bible School.
Shirley and Jack volunteered for many years at the Abingdon Fall Festival where she supervised the Kids Events. She was a tireless member of the Abingdon Fire Department Auxiliary from 1956 to 1987 and served as a past leader with the Girl Scouts. She was a past member of the Blue Bell Bible Study and the Widow and Widowers Support Group. In later years, she enjoyed adult swim aquanastics at the YMCA pool and finished many a day’s thoughts inside a good book.
Shirley lived most all of her life at the corner of Pennsylvania and South Streets where she maintained a seemingly continuous search for the perfect outdoor sweat via the working end of a rake, lawnmower, flower pot or snow shovel. She was a dedicated friend to many as witnessed by her daily delivery of delicacies such as Shirley’s lasagna, butter mints, and Eleanor’s noodles to those in need in the Abingdon community; her short Friday-night sojourns across the street to support her beloved Commandos were a high point of her week. She enjoyed a good laugh, even at her own expense, and she married the right man to prove it. But above all, she never missed an opportunity to boast, even to excess, on the exploits and achievements of those she loved most.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, May 12, 2012 at the Abingdon Christian Church. Rev. Darryl McDaniel will officiate. Burial will follow in the Abingdon Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Abingdon Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the Abingdon Christian Church or the Knox County Nursing Home. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
We are so sorry for the loss of your Mom. Sherry, Cindy and Tom; please know you are in our hearts and in our prayers.
Love, Pam and Michael
Sherry, Cindy, and Tom,
I am so sorry to hear that your Mom passed away. You are in my thought and prayers. May God give you strength and comfort for the days ahead.
Love and Prayers,
Cheryl Landon Baggett
We were so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. There’s never a good time to part with those we love, but having family and friends to care, makes the burden a little lighter.
Sherry, Cindy, and Tom
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother, you are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. Your mother was one of the true gems of Abingdon and will be missed greatly.
Mike
Sherry, Cindy &Tom,
I sorry to hear of your loss. Your mom was a such nice person and I always enjoy seeing her. It’s hard to lose your mom but always remember the good times you had with her. Your family is in our thoughts.
Tim & Kelly McVey
Sorry to hear of your loss
That has got to be the coolest obituary I have ever read, What a fine tribute to what surely is a fine woman that will be sorely missed. Please accept my Deepest Sympathy for your loss. And I know that she is a fine woman, because I am sure she had to have an influence on one of the finest men I know. Chief “jiggers it’s the fireguy” Tom Simkins…My thoughts and Prayers are with you all..
Shirley was a wonderful person.We started first grade together. She was always a good friend to everyone,Tom and all the family, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you
Dear Sherry, Cindy and Tom; Sorry to hear about your mom passing away, as a Gospel singer, Shirley was one of my best fans in Abingdon. She attended most of my concerts there, always enjoyed seeing her smiling face in the crowd. She also made the best chocolate chip cookies, I loved your mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Marty & Rita Smith
Cindy & Family,
Our thoughts & prayers are with your family during this most difficult time.
To the family:
I’m so sorry for your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you.
What a nice rememberance you wrote for her obituary. She was one busy woman and I know from experience that you will miss her greatly. Hold on to the memories.
On behalf of the girls and the whole family, thanks to all of you for your kind words and prayers. Given the fantastic fullness of Mom’s life and her situation over the last 4 years, her passing can be nothing short of a joyous celebration of love, laughter, and wonderful memories. She truly was the wind beneath our wings and I have not beeen able to get the “I’ll Fly Away” tune out of my head since the closing of her funeral on Saturday. Shirley and Jack together again….oh glorious day!
Tom & Cindy –
I am truly sorry for the loss of your mother. I hope you will comfort in the knowledge that she is now at peace.
God Speed.
Mike Kisler
To Sherry, Cindy, Tom and families; It is hard to believe that our parents are gone. They were so much of our lives. Fireman dinners, school activities, etc. they were there. Your parents were special people and always there to help. The Fey family is thinking of you all.
Sincerely,
Becky & siblings & families