Obituary

Nan Pierson Simmons
May 23, 1932 - July 20, 2017


NAN PIERSON SIMMONS, AGE 85 and a resident of Franklinton passed away Thursday morning July 20, 2017 at her home. She was born May 23, 1932 in Ponchatoula and later graduated from Ponchatoula High School before obtaining a degree in Education from Southeastern Louisiana University. Nan married Ronald Burris Simmons in 1954 and together they raised three children in Franklinton. She taught school for several years before joining Ronny in their retail clothing business Simmons’, Squire Shop, and the Fashionette. Nan also remained very involved in her community. She was a longtime member of Centenary United Methodist Church, where she participated in the United Methodist Women organization and sang in the Centenary Chancel Choir. Nan was also a member of the Franklinton Community Theater, where she brought many characters to life through her gift of acting. She volunteered for many years at Riverside Medical Center as a Pink Lady and was a longtime member and past-president of the Winterset Club. She was an avid reader that also enjoyed writing stories and painting.
Survived by: 2 Sons and Daughters in law: Ronald Simmons, Jr. and Cynthia Simmons of Gautier, MS, Russell Simmons and Jennifer Price-Simmons of Lake Charles; Daughter and Son in law: Vanda Simmons Upton and Rann Upton of Mandeville; 5 Grandchildren: Adam Simmons, Tucker Simmons and Alex Drogobetski, Victoria Upton, Laurel Upton, Hannah Simmons; Great-grandson: Luke Simmons; 2 Sisters and a Brother in law: Elizabeth and Paul Riggs of Ponchatoula, Georgia Russell of Hammond; Brother and Sister in law: Allen Pierson, Jr. and Juanita Pierson of Ponchatoula; Also numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ronald “Ronny” Burris Simmons, her mother Mary Dean Pierson, father and step-mother Allen Butler Pierson and Marguerite Powell Pierson and a sister Mary Lou Pierson Scott.
Visitation will be at Centenary Methodist Church (1015 Cleveland Street, Franklinton, LA 70438) on Monday July 24th from 9 am until 11 am. A funeral service will be held in the church at 11 am Monday with Rev. Brian Ridgedale and Dr. Michael Simmons officiating. Burial will follow in Ellis Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations to Centenary Methodist Church at the address above or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).
Pallbearers: Adam Simmons, Tucker Simmons, Scott Simmons, David Simmons, James Pierson, David Steinwinder, Bruce Fairburn, Allen Pierson, III