Norma Jean Simmons was born March 15, 1938, in New Castle, Indiana to Roll and Mary Smith. She went to her Heavenly Home on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at the age of 86.
Jean married the boy who dunked her in the pool the summer before her freshman year of high school. He retaliated by showing her the world thru his service in the United States Air Force; Annapolis, Maryland; Dayton, Ohio, Kodiak and Fairbanks Alaska, Del Rio, and Abilene.
In the Philippines, they were guests of honor at a native wedding, and therefore, served the honored dish, the Pig’s head. Jean quickly, and mostly grimacing, diplomatically passed the honor to the bride and groom, as it was their special day, thereby both becoming the hero of the day and saving her from having to eat (or look at) the dish.
During their travels, she held a boa constrictor in Thailand, rode an elephant in Bangkok, rode the bull at Gilley’s, and water skied in the Gulf of Siam. She was not without fear but could not turn down a challenge.
When Dave retired, they moved to Lake Coleman and owned the Driftwood Restaurant for a while. Then came the motorcycle. They rode in every state and took trips around the Great Lakes. They were named Couple of the Year for their local chapter of the Goldwing Riders Association, and subsequently for the State of Texas.
Jean was a girl scout leader, a bridge player, a fire department auxiliary member, and served as past president. She rose from the position of teller to vice president of Dyess Federal Credit Union, HR Director for Stemple Manufacturing, and HR Director for California and Amarillo Hardware. Jean was a devoted member of First Methodist Church in Coleman where she served in many positions.
She leaves behind her daughter, Mickey Lackey; her son, Doug Simmons; her grandchildren, Jennifer Redman, Christopher Dominguez, Jay Allen Lackey and wife Ashley, and Willum Lackey and wife Madlyn; her great-grandchildren, Amanda Dominguez and fiancé Brae McCormick, Brad Redman and wife Allison, Corey Redman, Riely Dominguez, Jacob Dominguez, Colette Lackey, Blair Lackey, Aubree Gladden, and Callum Lackey; three great-great-granddaughters, Charlie, Dolly, and Selene; and sister in law, Nancy Simmons and her children, Rob, Tim, and Nick.
The family will host a visitation from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday, January 27, 2025, at Stevens Funeral Home. Family and friends are invited to a funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. David Medley, pastor of First Methodist Church of Menard and Rev. Greg Oberg, pastor of First Methodist Church of Coleman, officiating. Interment will follow in the Elmwood Memorial Park in Abilene. Services are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Home, 400 W. Pecan Street, in Coleman.
In lieu of flowers, Jean requested small donations to the Lake Coleman Volunteer Fire Department, 141 Scenic Drive, Coleman, Texas 76834.
We invite you to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with the Simmons family by signing the guestbook on Jean’s tribute page at www.stevensfuneralhome.com. Stevens Funeral Home is honored to serve the Simmons family.