Elvarine Ingram Simms

Elvarine Ingram Simms, age 95 had a tranquil passing the morning of April 4th 2015 and joins her beloved husband, Harold Simms, who passed four years before her. They were married for 74 years. She devoted her life to her five children and exhibited unconditional love as only a mother can regardless of situations of adversity that arises in all families. She taught by her lifestyle the virtues of economics and conservation as skillfully as any CFO of a major corporation. In a time when women without degrees did not carve out careers for themselves she had the courage to use her creative skills to educate and become certified in the world of cosmetology. Her basement salon became a place where women from the neighborhood could get a bit of pampering while bonding as a community. She was quick to respond to a neighbor in need, showing up with homemade dishes and kind words of support. She never hesitated to take on the care necessary as other family members made their transition from this life to the next. As powerful as the love for her husband and family, was also her love of church where she offered time as a Sunday school teacher and generous tithing. She had a flair for flower arranging and for decades she would lovingly create gorgeous flower arrangements for the altar of her church. She often spoke of how grateful she was for her church family and neighbors. She would want to publicly acknowledge in particular her caregivers, Beverly and Joe Rutter, other devoted caregivers were, Shirley James and Peggy Hodges. She is survived by her five children, John C. Simms, Sr. Ridgeway, VA, Tillie Thompson and husband Jerry, Cynthia Willis and husband Gordon (Bo), James Simms and wife Lovviner all of Franklin County and Claudia Simms Wolfe of Santa Fe, NM, 15 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren. Though each sibling will mourn the passing of their mother in their own way, special acknowledgment should go to Cynthia Willis. Though a spirited handful as a teenager, her love and support of her mother was exceptional throughout her life but especially in her later years.Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Carilion Hospice Services of Franklin County and Ferrum Rescue Squad. Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Tuesday April 7, 2015 with Chaplain Rick Poland officiating. Interment will follow in Franklin Memorial Park. Her family will receive friends 4-7 p.m. Monday at Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.