Obituary

Angie "Anne" Simmons Hurst

July 18, 1930 - December 31, 2020

Angie "Anne" Simmons Hurst died December 31st, 2020 at St. Helena Parish Hospital in Greensburg, LA. Anne was a 90-year-old life-time resident of Kentwood, Louisiana.

She was a professional Art and Music teacher and was a Water Safety and Swimming instructor. In her senior years, she earned gold medals in the State Swimmers Senior Olympics and held SFS (Stay Fit for Service) Water Aerobics for local participates. 

Anne traveled with her devoted husband, John "Shady" Hurst, during his military career and as volunteer missionaries with the Southern Baptist Home and Foreign Mission Boards. She was co-builder, with her husband, of Inspiration Park, an interdenominational Christian facility, and the designer and artist of sculptures, paintings, and artifacts in the park. 

Anne wrote three books, "You Are So Beautiful", a children's story and art book dedicated to the children of Guyana; "The Taste of Him", a family journal of personal experiences of their walk with the Lord; and "Sap from the Olive Root", their travel experiences of tracing Christian roots through Jewish history from Israel to America, three copies located in the Kentwood Library. 

Her later work was spent as a Disaster Relief Chaplain upon official endorsement by the Baptist Mission Board and commissioned by Kentwood First Baptist Church. Gladly serving many times during disasters created by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and the earthquake in Haiti, she was presented with the Cal Jones Distinguished Lifetime Service Award. 

Preceding her in death are her beloved husband of 54 years, Chaplain John "Shady" Hurst; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Isaac Simmons; four sisters, Lillian Rachel, Voncile Mack, Ollie Stoker, and Willie V. Hughes; one brother, W. I. Simmons; her devoted loving son, Johnny, and a precious granddaughter, Rebekah Carter. 

Mrs. Hurst is survived by her wonderful daughters and husbands, Nedra and Richard Carter, Bonnie and Marc Impastato; five grandchildren, John Richard Carter and wife, Keith Ann, Marie Carter Cochran, Ryan, Joshua, and Tanner Hurst, and Katie Impastato; and four great grandchildren, Rebekah and Mary Alex Carter and Will and Caroline Cochran; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Funeral services and interment will be held at Inspiration Park Memorial Gardens on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. where she will be buried next to her husband. 

The family, especially Bonnie, wishes to send a special thank you to the nurses and staff at St. Helena Parish Hospital for their care and compassion during mama's illness. 

McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.