Joyce Laurie Simmons
October 7, 1940 - April 21, 2018
Joyce Laurie Simmons, age 77, of Middletown, DE, formerly of Dover, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 21, 2018, surrounded by her family.
Born in Morgantown, WV on October 7, 1940, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Mary (Lovio) Laurie. Joyce dedicated 35 years of service as an insurance agent with State Farm and was the first female agent to be employed at the Eastern Seaboard location.
Active in her community and a friend to many, Joyce was a valued member of many organizations, including the MOT Rotary Club, where she was a two time past president; served as a Board of Director for the MOT Jean Birch Senior Center; volunteered for the Women’s Club of Odessa; and a member of the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Odessa. She was a major Rotary Foundation contributor, a proud Paul Harris Award recipient and in 2017 received the Outstanding Rotarian of the Year award. Joyce was the driving force and main inspiration for the MOT Rotary Can-Do playground that will open in a few weeks at the Charles Price Memorial Park in Middletown. More than anything, she was a grandmother extraordinaire to her four grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Simmons. She is survived by her children, Lisa Shepherd-Wilson (Mike) of Ashburn, VA, Charles Collins Jr. of Horsham, PA and Curtis Collins (Kate) of Middletown, DE; brother, David Laurie of Morgantown, WV; sister, Sylvia Dial of Morgantown, WV; grandchildren, Collin, Victoria and Morgan Shepherd and Chase Collins; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Family and friends may gather from 11 am until 1 pm on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Odessa Fire Company Memorial Hall, 304 Main Street, Odessa, DE, where a Celebration of Life will begin at 1 pm. Interment will be held privately in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joyce’s memory to Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, One Waterfront Place, 7
Sharon Gilkey
I am so sorry for your loss. Joyce was a beautiful friend. I will miss her greatly! My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Josef "Andy" Burger
I am so sorry for your loss. Joyce was a great fiend. Sorry I can not be at the Funeral since I will be out of town. I will miss seeing her smiling face and the happy Hello. My prayers are with her family..
Jean Royal
I was so sorry to hear about Joyce’s passing. She was a kind and generous person who was very important to me.
June Glass
From “agent” to friend, Joyce was good at it. She and her glow will be missed. Those who loved her are in my prayers.
Georgianna Trietley
So sorry to learn of Joyce’s passing. I worked with her many years on many community projects. She will be sadly missed by this community. Condolences go out to her lovely family.
Carla Pyle
Joyce was a lovely woman. She was always polite and positive. She had a smile on her face whenever we spoke. She was community minded and supported community organizations. She was a participating and valued member of the Women’s Club of Odessa and a member of the Historic Odessa Foundation. She will be greatly missed.
Patricia Mazza
Curt, Kate and Chase,
We are all so very sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Thinking of you and wishing you moments of peace and comfort as you go through this very sad time. Our deepest sympathy and love.
Pat, Don, Kyle, Sarah & Josh
archie parker
Sorry for your loss, she was a loss for many of us in the community—Joyce was true lady and was committed to service to the Middletown community
Chris Drewniak
I am truly sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Whatever you need and whenever you need it always.
Chris