Nellie Estella Simms went to her eternal heavenly home April 19, 2024. She was born April 27, 1930, in Parkersburg, W.Va., to Joseph and Estel Life. On Feb. 22, 1948, Nellie married Gene Simms, the love of her life and high school sweetheart and later moved to Arizona.
Nellie was preceded in death by her husband Gene, her parents; and six siblings.
A loving wife, mother and grandmother, Nellie is survived by daughters, Trudy (Gene) Coon and Deloras (Guy) Phillips; son, Kevin (Jayne) Simms; nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
Nellie’s passions in life were her faith, family, Southern Gospel music, and using her gifting and talents to benefit others. She was especially talented with crocheting, knitting and quilting and made hundreds of gifts for nursing home residents as well as for family and friends.
Nellie enjoyed her life in the White Mountains. She and her husband really enjoyed traveling and taking Gospel Cruises. They spent many summers in Hominy Valley, North Carolina where they became part of the Primitive Quartet’s Christian family and made many lifelong friends.
Nellie’s family is eternally grateful to the staff at Haven Hospice and Legacy House of Avondale for the loving care and support given to Nellie and her family.
Services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, at Porter Mountain Fellowship in Lakeside, with a graveside service immediately following at the Lakeside Cemetery on Larson Road.
Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low handled the arrangements.
