Lavern Simmons, 90, went to meet her Lord on August 4, 2016 in Conroe, Texas. A visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, August 9, 2016 from 1:00PM – 3:00PM at Colonial Funeral Home of Dimmitt. Graveside service will follow immediately in Castro Memorial Gardens Cemetery with Pastor Jonathan Sullivan of the First Baptist Church officiating. All funeral arrangements are under the care of Colonial Funeral Home.

Lavern was born in Brinkman, Oklahoma on December 4, 1925 to Ammar and Jewell Kirby. She married Eugene "Red" Simmons on December 7, 1943 in Ada Oklahoma, they lived most of their married lives in Muleshoe, Texas followed by Pampa, Texas where Red preceded her in death in 1974. Lavern loved her family, gardening, cooking, flowers and birds. She had a great heart of gold and touched many lives over the years and that was evident in everything she did. Even in her final years while struggling with Alzheimer's, she found joy in caring for the other residents at the care facility and despite being the oldest she still called them all Granny. Her infectious laughter and endless kisses will be missed dearly.

Lavern is survived by 1 daughter, Barbara Sligh and husband Pete, son -in-law, Nolan Welborn, 4 grandchildren, Shelli Johnson and husband Tedd, Brandon Welborn and wife Noora, Michael Moydell and husband Chris and Brent Welborn and wife Janey, 12 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren, 4 brothers, Troy Kirby and wife Billie, Vade Kirby and wife Marie, Hulon Kirby and Clifford Kirby, 3 sisters, Twila Lester, Joy Byers and Una Shaw and husband Sid along with numerous nieces and nephews, family and friends.

Lavern is preceded in death by her husband, Red Simmons, daughter, Ketha Welborn, great-great granddaughter, Paige Conner, 2 brothers and 1 sister.

The family suggests memorials be made in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.