Wilhelmenia Simmons

Wilhelmenia Simmons, 90, of Gallipolis, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at Holzer Senior Care Center. Willie as she was called by her many friends was born on August 6, 1921 in Gallipolis, Ohio in an area off of Sycamore Street between Second and Third Avenue called The Flats. She was the only daughter born to the late Homer Virgil and Mayme (Dollimier) Lewis. Her mother was of German decent and her father was of French decent which was related to the original French Five Hundred that settled Gallipolis. She married Elmer D. Simmons on July 3, 1941 in Jackson, Ohio by the Methodist minister the Reverend Clayton J. Yeisley. She and her husband Elmer owned a small farm on Mill Creek that they farmed for many years. Wilhelmenia worked for Morris Five and Dime Store located at 312 Second Avenue in Gallipolis as a sales clerk from 1943 until 1953. Later, in 1959 she was employed by the Gallipolis State Institute (now known as Gallipolis Developmental Center) as a psychology nurses aide working on Cottage U-1. Many of the patients that she cared for during her tenure at the Gallipolis State Institute referred to her as Maw Simmie. In 1972, Wilhelmenia had to give up her employment with the state hospital to care for her ailing husband, Elmer. Her husband, Elmer, preceded her in death on September 11, 1977 in Chillicothe, Ohio. In 1990, Willie was bestowed the distinguished title of Mayor of Mill Creek. Willie was a long-time member of the Gallipolis Christian Church. She is survived by her church family and a host of many special friends that dearly loved her. Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 14, 2012 at the Willis Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Lynn officiating. Burial will follow in the Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery in Rio Grande, Ohio. Calling hours will be 10-11 a.m. prior to the service. Cemetery: Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery, Rio Grande, Ohio Visitation: Willis Funeral Home, Saturday, January 14, 2012 10-11 a.m. Service: Willis Funeral Home, Saturday, January 14, 2012 11:00 a.m.