Helen Irene Simmons

Helen Irene Simmons was born Nov. 9, 1927, to Albert and Nina Mae (Harrison) Clark in Hominy, Okla., and passed away Tuesday December 23, 2014, in the Arber Spring Hospice House in Opelika, Ala., at the age of 87. A chapel service for Helen Simmons, a long time Cordell resident, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, in the Kiesau Memorial Chapel. Officiated by Rev. Gary Vitosky. Burial will conclude in the Edwardsville cemetery in Canute, Okla. under the direction of Kiesau Lee Funeral Home. Helen grew up in Anadarko, Okla., with Nina Mae and Harry McMullen. After graduating from Anadarko High School in 1945, she worked as a nurse's aide in the Anadarko Hospital. She married James B. "Buddy" Simmons on Aug. 21, 1953, in Anadarko, Okla., and they made their home in Norge, Okla. In 1968, they moved to western Oklahoma to the 41 Community, south of Canute, Okla., and Helen worked beside Buddy in their store and station. Several years later they moved to Retrop, Okla., where they owned a store and station until they moved to Cordell, Okla., in 1993. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Retrop and involved in the Washita County Extension Homemaker's Club. Helen was also an Auxiliary Volunteer at Great Plains Hospital in Elk City, Okla. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert Clark and Nina Mae Harrison; stepfather, Harry McMullen; husband, Buddy Simmons; and father and mother-in-law J.T. and Erie Simmons. She is survived by her three children, Mary Ellen Morel, Cordell, Okla.; Shirley Beecham of Houma, La.; and Lou Ann Hutson and husband Gilbert of Burns Flat, Okla.; 8 grandchildren, Calista Clowers and husband Gordon of Houma, La.; Jamie Keen and husband Daryl of Camp Hill, Ala.; Michael Beecham of Chickasha, Okla.; Cathy Gritts and husband JJ of Mustang, Okla.; Amy Beecham of Camp Hill, Ala.; Carrie Shelton and husband Jake of Foss, Okla.; CJ Beecham of Chickasha, Okla.; and Jimmy Hutson of Burns Flat, Okla; 12 great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Retrop.