Merry Tom Lowery Simms, 89, died peacefully in her sleep on June 15, 2023 after a long period of declining health.

She was born on November 2, 1933 in Broaddus, TX. She was the daughter of the late Vera and Azre Lowery. She grew up in Texas, but on a 1955 cruise to several European countries she met the love of her life, Stewart Simms. They quickly became inseparable and Stewart proposed while they were in Germany. They married a few months later. Merry relocated to Maryland with her love and they built a home and a life there, raising two daughters. Merry only held a secular job for a short period of time before her full-time job became raising her girls and organizing the many cross country trips they made.

Merry was predeceased by her father, Azre and mother, Vera, her sister Opel Jeannette and her brother Azre Menton Lowery.

She is survived by her husband of almost 68 years, Stewart A. Simms, her only surviving sister, Margie, two daughters, Deborah Rapson and husband, Jeff and Dianah Ramsay and husband Scott. She also leaves behind 3 grandsons, TJ Rapson, Gavin and Ian Ramsay.

She had a love of all things nature, birds and other critters [except for snakes which she hated with a passion!] but her special love was for flowers. In another lifetime she would have been a flower arranger for sure! Her Christian service to her god, Jehovah, took priority over all else.

There will be no calling hours, but a celebration of life service will be held on July 15, 2023 at 2pm at the Kernersville, NC Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1507 East Mountain Street, Kernersville, NC 27284. There will be a zoom component. Please reach out to the Kernersville KH or her daughter, Dianah, for specifics.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: the Alzheimer’s Association [alz.org].

Carolina Cremation is assisting the Simms family of Lexington. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.