Martha Simmons

Martha Elizabeth Simmons, 83, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010, at Jackson Manor in Jackson.

She was born Dec. 3, 1926, in Carbondale, Ill., to William P. and Ethel B. Striplin Grootens. She and Robert Simmons were married Sept. 18, 1945. He preceded her in death May 12, 1985.

Martha was a member of Old St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau. She was a member of the Council of Catholic Women, charter member of the Sunshine Club, and member and volunteer of the Cape Girardeau Senior Center.

She was raised in Cairo, Ill., and graduated from Cairo High School in 1944. She worked in sales more than 30 years with Stanley Home Products. Martha also worked at Garden of Eden Florist in Scott City and Gingham Square.

She is survived by three sons, Mark A. Simmons (Maureen) of Chuluota, Fla., Tom L. Simmons and John P. Simmons (Christine) of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Anne Rees (Gary) of Jackson, Beth Keller (Keith) of Jackson; seven grandchildren, Mark P. Simmons of Eugene, Ore., Philip W. Simmons of Sanford, Fla., Christina R. Isaacson of Newberg, Ore., Robert P. Simmons of Winter Park, Fla., Traci A. Trout, Melissa L. Rose and Blythe N. Schmitt, all of Jackson; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Also a very special friend, Robert Talley of Springfield, Mo.; a brother, William A. Grootens of Quincy, Ill.; five stepbrothers, Dennis Weber of Belton, Mo., Charlie and James Weber of Cape Girardeau, Jerome Weber of Jamesport, Mo., Joseph Weber of St. Charles, Mo; three stepsisters, Anna Creel of Jefferson City, Mo., Marcella Zumwalt of Bowling Green, Mo., and Ella Seiser of Cape Girardeau.

She was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother, Carolyn Weber Grootens; husband; two sons, Paul and David; a granddaughter, Kimberly Simmons; a stepgranddaughter, Maureen Tinsley; a stepbrother, Leon Weber; and three stepsisters, Maggie Hughs, Vi Smith and Helen Clark.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. Parish prayers will be at 7.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Old St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau, with Father Tom Kiefer as celebrant. Interment will follow in Lightner Cemetery in Scott City.

To leave online condolences visit www.crainsonline.com.