Hannah Louise Simms

94, 209 W. Jackson St., Abingdon, died at 4:35 PM Thursday, January 1, 2004 in the Care Center of Abingdon. She was born December 7, 1909 in Abingdon, the daughter of James Daniel and Bessie Ellen Stegall Parker. She married J. O. "Shorty" Simms on October 4, 1930 in Galesburg. He survives. Also surviving is a daughter, Dixie Lee (and Fred) Jenks, Monmouth, 2 granddaughters, Julie (and Chris) Kettmann, Coralville, Iowa and Megan Jenks, Monmouth, and one niece, Shirley Nelson, Knoxville. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Dorothy Sutherland. She and her husband were the owners and operators of Simms Restaurant and Dairy Bar in Abingdon for over 40 years. She also worked in the office of American Sanitary Manufacturing Company (Brass Factory) in Abingdon for 15 years. She was a 1926 graduate of Abingdon High School and belonged to its Half Century Club. She was also a graduate of Brown's Business College in Galesburg. She had lived in Abingdon all of her life and was a member of the Abingdon Christian Church, where she had sang in the choir and taught Sunday school. She also wrote many devotional booklets for the church as well as designing and donating floral arrangements for the church. She was a freelance writer for several magazines, including the Prairie Journal and also for the Galesburg Register Mail. She also wrote 80 "Remember When" columns about the history of Abingdon for the Abingdon Argus. These columns are contained in a collection at the Western Illinois University Library archives and can also be seen at the Abingdon Historical Society Museum. She wrote news and feature stories for 50 years for the Peoria Journal Star from her home. She enjoyed entering writing and poetry contests and received awards from the Two Rivers Council, which featured many of her works. She also wrote numerous stories and poems for her family. She had served as a Girl Scout leader, was a member of the Abingdon Garden Club, and the founder of the Abingdon Fire Department Auxiliary. She initiated the recycling program for Abingdon and continued in its efforts for 15 years along with KCCDD. She served on the KCCDD board of directors. She had been a volunteer for the American Red Cross. She was also the co-founder of the Rhythm Rollers musical activity group at the Care Center of Abingdon. Funeral will be 11 AM Monday in Hinchliff-Pearson-West Abingdon Chapel. The Rev. Raymond McLaren will officiate. Visitation will be 10 AM to 11 AM Monday at the chapel. Burial will be in Abingdon Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Abingdon Christian Church or the Louise Simms Memorial Writing Scholarship for students of Abingdon schools in care of Security Savings Bank of Monmouth.

SERVICES A service summary is not available

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