Obituary

Louise Simmons Firmin

June 22, 1935 - November 11, 2026

Heaven gained an angel this week. Our sweet Mom, Louise  Simmons Firmin, went to be with Jesus, Wednesday night, November 11, 2026. She was a caretaker of many and loved by all.

Louise grew up in the Pine Community. She attended Thomas High school where she was on the basketball team. She then transferred to Franklinton High School where she met the love of her life, Wayne Simmons. They were happily married for 42 years.

Louise loved the Lord and had an extremely strong faith. She was a long time member of Sunlight Baptist Church (72 years) and was very active. Louise taught Sunday School and Bible School, sang in the choir, and was a member of the WMU (she hosted many Christmas parties at her home). She was always eager to help in any church activity or need that came up. Even in her last year of life, as it got harder for her to get around, she attended church whenever she could. Louise was a prayer warrior and a caring and compassionate person. She loved the Lord, her family, and friends. She loved being around people and having people visiting her.

Louise helped Wayne in their dairy, was a school bus driver for twenty years, and was a homemaker. Even though she took care of her home (it was immaculate) and family, her favorite pasttimes were spent outside. She loved spring when she could buy flowers, redo her flower beds, and work in them. She loved keeping her yard up. She also was an avid walker. She loved that time alone where she once shared that she did a lot of praying while she walked.

Louise was a strong and courageous woman. She had several health problems in the past years, but she was determined. She was a fighter. She always said, “With God’s help, I am going to get through this.” She never quit. Even the day she died, she told her family that she wanted to fight a little longer, and she did. Until her last breath, she fought until her physical body gave out.

Preceded in death by: Her husbands Wayne Simmons, Larry Jenkins, Nathan Firmin; her parents - J.D. and Ruby Creel; sisters - Artie Thomas and Estelle Crain; one brother - James Creel; brothers in law - D.L. Thomas, Percy Crain, J.C. Simmons; sisters in law - Kathlean Creel, Mary Creel, Nadine Creel, Lois Creel, Edna Simmons, Bevy Simmons; nephews - Donald Thomas, Dewey Thomas, Durwin Thomas; two nieces - Faye Crain, Chanda Corkern; two great nephews - Mark Ard and Dustin Ard.

Survived by: Children - Gary (Sherron) Simmons; Telisa (Walt) Sylvest; Grandchildren - Matt (Kay) Simmons; Brady (Heather) Edwards; Elizabeth Capello; Great grandchildren - Sage Edwards, Brody McFarlain, Dylan McFarlain, Tyler Dufour; and a great grandchild, Shepherd James Edwards, expected in April.

Visitation will be at Sunlight Baptist Church (18184 Sunlight Road, Franklinton) on Saturday November 14th from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm. A funeral service will be held in the church at 3:00 pm Saturday with Rev. Leroy McElveen, Rev. Eric Catha and Rev. Matthew Simmons officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers: Brady Edwards, Matthew Simmons, Tommy Breedlove, Kenny Martin, Jamie Neyland, Conner Ard. Honorary Pallbearers are Hershel Creel, Randy Thomas