Hazel L. Simmons, 91, received her angel wings on March 10, 2025, while a patient at Sentara RMH in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Mrs. Simmons was born Oct. 7, 1933, at Mozer and was the daughter of the late Perry Mode Ratliff and Lena Susan (Kesner) Ratliff.
She and her husband, Virgil, owned and operated Simmons Grocery at Doe Hill, Virginia, for 19 years. She worked at the garment company in Monterey, Virginia, and Franklin Garment Company, and retired from Hanover Shoe Company.
She was a member of the Friends Run Church of the Brethren where she was in the Ladies Aid. She was a volunteer at Pendleton Manor and enjoyed helping with their newsletter. She was a member of the Franklin Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.
She loved spending time with her family, gardening, and crocheting.
On Aug. 14, 1954, she married Virgil T. Simmons who preceded her in death on Sept. 30, 2001.
Surviving are two sons, David Perry Simmons (Patty) and Virgil Wayne Simmons, all of Franklin; two sisters, Vada Mallow of Upper Tract and Genevieve May (Charles) of Maysville; three grandchildren, Ginger Kimble (Jason) of Franklin, Patrick Simmons (Jessica) of Petersburg and Brian Simmons (Tuesday) of Wake Forest, North Carolina; six great-grandchildren, Patrick Jacob “PJ” Simmons, Mason Simmons, Ryan Kimble, Alex Kimble, Hayden Kimble, and Cedar Simmons; and a number of nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by three sisters, Ethel Alt, Ersley Whetzel and Nancy Mongold; five brothers, Chaney Ratliff, Arthur Ratliff, Olin Ratliff, Glen Ratliff and Homer Ratliff; five infant siblings; and a grandson, Jason Simmons.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. today at the Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin where a funeral service will follow in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Michael Loudermilk officiating. Interment will be at Kline Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Franklin Volunteer Fire Department or Friends Run Church of the Brethren.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.kimblefuneralhome.com.
