McDougald Funeral Home2211 North Main StreetAnderson, South Carolina 29621864-224-4343 OBITUARY DESSIE SIMMONS May 9, 1914 - May 2, 2011ANDERSON, SCDessie Messer Simmons, age 96, of 120 Anderson Avenue, wife of the late William Richard Simmons, died Monday, May 2, 2011 at the Rainey Hospice House.Born in Baxley County, GA on May 9, 1914, Mrs. Simmons was a daughter of the late William Frank Messer and Mahalia Eudora Marchman Messer. She was a bookkeeper with the Singer Company, Charleston, SC. Living in Atlanta, GA in 1961, she was the bookkeeper with McGregor Inc. and Our Way Machine Shop and moved to Anderson, SC in 1984 following her retirement. She was an avid bridge player and volunteer tax preparer for the senior citizens. Mrs. Simmons was the oldest active member of Boulevard Baptist Church. Survivors include her son, Richard F. Simmons Sr., and his wife, Elizabeth of Anderson; five grandchildren, Rev. Henry R. Simmons and his wife, Beth, Debra Brown and her husband Tim, Sharon Barnette and her husband, Todd, Richard F. Simmons, Jr., and his wife, Jennifer and Trevor Simmons; eleven great-grandchildren, Will Simmons and his wife, Erin, Amy Simmons, Sadie Simmons, Meg Simmons, Ricky Simmons, III, Hope Simmons, Laine Simmons, Timothy and Sharon Brown and Clay and Ethan Barnette. She is also survived by a sister, Esther M. Hill of Atlanta, GA; two nephews and one niece.In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by a daughter, Kathleen Simmons Jernigan; two sisters, Ruby Strong and Myrtle Flowers Hardy.The family will receive friends at The McDougald Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 from 1:30 pm until 2:30 pm with the funeral following in the Chapel at 3:00 pm officiated by the Dr. Johnny F. McKinney, Rev. Henry R. Simmons and Rev. Elwood Orr. A Committal Service will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 11:00 am at Dawn Memorial Park, 4683 Glenwood Road, Decatur, GA 30035.Flowers are optional. Memorials may be made to Boulevard Baptist Church, 700 Boulevard, Anderson, SC 29621 or Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC. 29621A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.comTHE MC DOUGALD FUNERAL HOME, Anderson, SC