Lillie Simmons

Obituary

Lillie Bell Simmons, 71, of Arden, NC passed away Friday, May 27, 2022, at her residence.  She was born in Arcola, MS to the late Winnie Jones Mobley and Lloyd Zalleycoffey Sr.

Lillie received a Diploma of Nursing from Fletcher Hospital School of Nursing. At the time, all nurses in the US were diploma prepared and studied in hospital-based nursing schools.  Lillie began her career as a Registered Nurse at Mission Hospital as an Operating Room Nurse for 20 years. She left Mission to begin employment as a traveling nurse and traveled to Alaska, Texas, Virginia, and many other cities.  She spent the last 14 years of her career with Park Ridge Hospital/Advent Health (formally affiliated with Fletcher Hospital School of Nursing).

Lillie servrd as the Vice President of African American Women Reaching Out Organization for peace and progress with Rev. Dr. Babb Phillips.  She was a former women’s basketball player and held the Tuscola High School record of 54 points in a game. Lillie’s favorite hobbies were baking and watching Law and Order and Alaska, The Last Frontier.  Most of all, Lillie enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by twin sisters, Mary Kaye and Mary Faye Campbell; brother, Isaac Dumas; former husband, Marion Gray.

Surviving family include daughters, Ingrid Freeman (Ryan), Asheville, NC and Winnie Hawkins (Anthony), Greenville, SC;  grandchildren, Jalen Freeman, Carmella Hawkins, Anthony Freeman, Isabella Hawkins; honorary granddaughter, Amia Jones; brother, Alfred Caldwell (Edith), Waynesville, NC; sister, Lillie Ann Forney, Arden, NC; a host of nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, great-grand nieces, and great-grand nephews.

Viewing/visitation will be 1:00-2:00 pm Sunday, June 5, 2022 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Waynesville, NC. Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Sunday, June 5, 2022 also at the church.

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