Louise Simmons

Louise Betts Simmons, 95, of St. Louis and formerly of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis.

She was born July 2, 1929, in Bonnerdale, Arkansas, daughter of Robert C. and Elsie Rasberry Betts. She was the third of 12 children. Louise married Harold L. Simmons on May 8, 1952, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. They had been married 60 years at the time of Harold’s death July 23, 2012.

She and Harold resided in East St. Louis, Illinois, before moving to Cape Girardeau. For the last three years she had resided with her daughters in St. Peters.

Louise worked for Popp’s A & W, the Blue Hole BBQ and Small World Christian School. She also operated a home day care for many years. She was known for her exceptional cooking (especially her fried chicken), her sewing and quilting abilities, gardening, flowers and her love of music, but most of all, her love for her family.

Louise and Harold had five children, Barbara (John) Siscel of St. Louis, the late Martha Smith, Sandra Simmons and Nancy Simmons of St. Peters and Kenneth (Carol) Simmons of Jackson.

She had six grandsons, John Siscel IV of St. Louis, Clinton Simmons of Jackson, Brook Smith of Knoxville, Tennessee, Brandon Smith of Jackson, Kyle Simmons of Jackson and Blake Smith of Cape Girardeau.

She also had three great-grandchildren, Ashley Simmons of Jackson, Owen Simmons of Scott City and Kyla Simmons of Jackson.

Louise is also survived by her extended family of Adam, Kim, Eli and Sydne Newman.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Donnie Ford officiating.

Interment will follow in Fairmount Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.