“Miss Bess” Simmons died peacefully in her home on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, surrounded by her children.
Alice Elizabeth (Bess) VanNorman Simmons was born June 23, 1921, in rural Amite County, Mississippi, near Liberty. She was the daughter of Hiram Lafayette and Pearl Causey VanNorman. As a young girl who was raised on a farm, she was active in the Future Homemakers of America and first met her future husband Bernell at a combined FHA/Future Farmers of America meeting while they were in high school.
She attended Southwest Mississippi Junior College before transferring to LSU where she received a degree in Home Economics. She married Bernell Simmons in 1943 and taught school while he served overseas during World War II and for a few years afterwards. Upon his discharge from the Army, they moved to New Orleans where he went to dental school and their first child, Bill, was born. After his graduation in 1948, the young family moved to McComb where Bernell set up his dental practice and Bess began her life of meeting, greeting, and loving people.
Over the next few years, three more children were born. Her only daughter Nell was followed by Bernie and then Van. Both of the younger boys were born on Bess’ birthday, a feat which Bernell said was one of determination on her part. Once the children were in school, Bess became very involved in PTA and served as an officer many times.
She was a member of the Parnassus Club, a life member of the Junior Auxiliary, and member of J. J. White Memorial Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years, sang in the choir and served in the Women of the church.
She loved people and enjoyed having a job that brought her into contact with them. For many years she worked for the Community Greeting Service, welcoming newcomers to McComb and acquainting them with our fair city. She put many miles on her car traveling the back roads of Pike County selling World Book Encyclopedias. She gave much of the money she made to her favorite charities, and encouraged others to do the same, even donating part of her commission to the churches of people who bought encyclopedias. She was also a realtor, working for Wild Real Estate – another opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
She continued to work part-time until she was 80, when Bernell’s health required her to spend more time at home. After his death, she took to the road again and made it her mission to visit as many of the “old and sick” as she could. We laughed and said, “Mama, aren’t you one of those now, too?” She just gave us a little smile and said nothing.
Since the early 1950s she collected thousands of pairs of eyeglasses to give to the Lions Club Recycle for Sight program. She had a birthday party and asked people to bring canned goods; she recycled before it was popular, taking craft items to Miss Mattie for the children; she supported St. Andrews Mission and MICA.
The McComb Exchange Club presented her with the Book of Golden Deeds – she said she was the first “plain person” to receive it – others before her were ministers and teachers, people she thought were far more deserving. The Enterprise-Journal named her Mother of the Year in 1977, another honor that she felt humbled by. In 1992, the McComb Rotary Club recognized her selfless service to people in the community by presenting her with the “Service Above Self” Award.
Although Bess had always had a flair for writing, she was in her 50s before she decided to get serious about it. For several years she submitted articles to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Jackson Daily News, and the Clarion Ledger. Once again, she relied on her love of people and their stories. She finally got up enough nerve to approach the Enterprise-Journal and ask if they would consider looking at some of her work. This timid inquiry began a 40+ year association, first as a free-lance writer and later with a weekly column which she continued until right after her 95th birthday. When she was 92 she published her book, a compilation of her stories featuring childhood events and interesting people she had met over the years.
Although Bess’ mind stayed sharp, time took a toll on her body and she spent the last few years more home-bound than she liked. She spent many hours on the telephone talking to people about genealogy and long-ago times. She had helped Bernell’s uncle, Hansford Simmons, update the Silver Creek and Bala Chitto Simmons family genealogy books, so people often called to ask about family relationships. Many of these distant relatives would come for a visit and stay for hours. Often when she met someone, she would tell them exactly where they were in the family tree.
Bess was preceded in death by her husband Bernell, her parents, and siblings Eddie VanNorman, Mamie Davis Willoughby (Rose Budd Stevens), and Rhoda Iverson. She is survived by her son Bill and his wife Harriet of Meridian, her daughter Nell and her husband Gary Fuller of Bellevue, NE, her son Bernie and his wife Anna, and her son Van; her grandchildren, Will Simmons and his wife Edie, Catherine Simmons Little and her husband Judge (all of Meridian), Mickie Fuller McConachie and her husband Chad, Katy Fuller Benedict and her husband Scott (all of Omaha, NE), and Carson and Conner Simmons of McComb; and her great-grandchildren, Cate and Lucy Simmons, Elizabeth Scott and Wyatt Bond, Hamp Little, Jamie, Ryan, and Mandy McConachie, and Zac Benedict. Her grandchildren will serve as her pallbearers.
The family would like to thank Bess’ friends who loved her and took the time to visit. They especially want to thank her caregivers over the last few years – Mattie Matthews, Martha Gardner and Emma Smith. They have loved her, taken care of her and enabled her to remain in her home.
Pallbearers will be William Wyatt Simmons, Catherine Simmons Little, Mickie Fuller McConachie, Kathryn Fuller Benedict, Carson Simmons and Conner Simmons.
“Miss Bess” considered it her “calling” to visit the sick and elderly and asked that people remember her by doing this. She asked that memorials be made to St. Andrews Mission of McComb or MICA (McComb Interdenominational Care Agency).
Alice Elizabeth (Bess) VanNorman Simmons was born June 23, 1921, in rural Amite County, Mississippi, near Liberty. She was the daughter of Hiram Lafayette and Pearl Causey VanNorman. As a young girl who was raised on a farm, she was active in the Future Homemakers of America and first met her future husband Bernell at a combined FHA/Future Farmers of America meeting while they were in high school.
She attended Southwest Mississippi Junior College before transferring to LSU where she received a degree in Home Economics. She married Bernell Simmons in 1943 and taught school while he served overseas during World War II and for a few years afterwards. Upon his discharge from the Army, they moved to New Orleans where he went to dental school and their first child, Bill, was born. After his graduation in 1948, the young family moved to McComb where Bernell set up his dental practice and Bess began her life of meeting, greeting, and loving people.
Over the next few years, three more children were born. Her only daughter Nell was followed by Bernie and then Van. Both of the younger boys were born on Bess’ birthday, a feat which Bernell said was one of determination on her part. Once the children were in school, Bess became very involved in PTA and served as an officer many times.
She was a member of the Parnassus Club, a life member of the Junior Auxiliary, and member of J. J. White Memorial Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years, sang in the choir and served in the Women of the church.
She loved people and enjoyed having a job that brought her into contact with them. For many years she worked for the Community Greeting Service, welcoming newcomers to McComb and acquainting them with our fair city. She put many miles on her car traveling the back roads of Pike County selling World Book Encyclopedias. She gave much of the money she made to her favorite charities, and encouraged others to do the same, even donating part of her commission to the churches of people who bought encyclopedias. She was also a realtor, working for Wild Real Estate – another opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
She continued to work part-time until she was 80, when Bernell’s health required her to spend more time at home. After his death, she took to the road again and made it her mission to visit as many of the “old and sick” as she could. We laughed and said, “Mama, aren’t you one of those now, too?” She just gave us a little smile and said nothing.
Since the early 1950s she collected thousands of pairs of eyeglasses to give to the Lions Club Recycle for Sight program. She had a birthday party and asked people to bring canned goods; she recycled before it was popular, taking craft items to Miss Mattie for the children; she supported St. Andrews Mission and MICA.
The McComb Exchange Club presented her with the Book of Golden Deeds – she said she was the first “plain person” to receive it – others before her were ministers and teachers, people she thought were far more deserving. The Enterprise-Journal named her Mother of the Year in 1977, another honor that she felt humbled by. In 1992, the McComb Rotary Club recognized her selfless service to people in the community by presenting her with the “Service Above Self” Award.
Although Bess had always had a flair for writing, she was in her 50s before she decided to get serious about it. For several years she submitted articles to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Jackson Daily News, and the Clarion Ledger. Once again, she relied on her love of people and their stories. She finally got up enough nerve to approach the Enterprise-Journal and ask if they would consider looking at some of her work. This timid inquiry began a 40+ year association, first as a free-lance writer and later with a weekly column which she continued until right after her 95th birthday. When she was 92 she published her book, a compilation of her stories featuring childhood events and interesting people she had met over the years.
Although Bess’ mind stayed sharp, time took a toll on her body and she spent the last few years more home-bound than she liked. She spent many hours on the telephone talking to people about genealogy and long-ago times. She had helped Bernell’s uncle, Hansford Simmons, update the Silver Creek and Bala Chitto Simmons family genealogy books, so people often called to ask about family relationships. Many of these distant relatives would come for a visit and stay for hours. Often when she met someone, she would tell them exactly where they were in the family tree.
Bess was preceded in death by her husband Bernell, her parents, and siblings Eddie VanNorman, Mamie Davis Willoughby (Rose Budd Stevens), and Rhoda Iverson. She is survived by her son Bill and his wife Harriet of Meridian, her daughter Nell and her husband Gary Fuller of Bellevue, NE, her son Bernie and his wife Anna, and her son Van; her grandchildren, Will Simmons and his wife Edie, Catherine Simmons Little and her husband Judge (all of Meridian), Mickie Fuller McConachie and her husband Chad, Katy Fuller Benedict and her husband Scott (all of Omaha, NE), and Carson and Conner Simmons of McComb; and her great-grandchildren, Cate and Lucy Simmons, Elizabeth Scott and Wyatt Bond, Hamp Little, Jamie, Ryan, and Mandy McConachie, and Zac Benedict. Her grandchildren will serve as her pallbearers.
The family would like to thank Bess’ friends who loved her and took the time to visit. They especially want to thank her caregivers over the last few years – Mattie Matthews, Martha Gardner and Emma Smith. They have loved her, taken care of her and enabled her to remain in her home.
Pallbearers will be William Wyatt Simmons, Catherine Simmons Little, Mickie Fuller McConachie, Kathryn Fuller Benedict, Carson Simmons and Conner Simmons.
“Miss Bess” considered it her “calling” to visit the sick and elderly and asked that people remember her by doing this. She asked that memorials be made to St. Andrews Mission of McComb or MICA (McComb Interdenominational Care Agency).
“Miss Bess” Simmons died peacefully in her home on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, surrounded by her children.
Alice Elizabeth (Bess) VanNorman Simmons was born June 23, 1921, in rural Amite County, Mississippi, near Liberty. She was the daughter of Hiram Lafayette and Pearl Causey VanNorman. As a young girl who was raised on a farm, she was active in the Future Homemakers of America and first met her future husband Bernell at a combined FHA/Future Farmers of America meeting while they were in high school.
She attended Southwest Mississippi Junior College before transferring to LSU where she received a degree in Home Economics. She married Bernell Simmons in 1943 and taught school while he served overseas during World War II and for a few years afterwards. Upon his discharge from the Army, they moved to New Orleans where he went to dental school and their first child, Bill, was born. After his graduation in 1948, the young family moved to McComb where Bernell set up his dental practice and Bess began her life of meeting, greeting, and loving people.
Over the next few years, three more children were born. Her only daughter Nell was followed by Bernie and then Van. Both of the younger boys were born on Bess’ birthday, a feat which Bernell said was one of determination on her part. Once the children were in school, Bess became very involved in PTA and served as an officer many times.
She was a member of the Parnassus Club, a life member of the Junior Auxiliary, and member of J. J. White Memorial Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years, sang in the choir and served in the Women of the church.
She loved people and enjoyed having a job that brought her into contact with them. For many years she worked for the Community Greeting Service, welcoming newcomers to McComb and acquainting them with our fair city. She put many miles on her car traveling the back roads of Pike County selling World Book Encyclopedias. She gave much of the money she made to her favorite charities, and encouraged others to do the same, even donating part of her commission to the churches of people who bought encyclopedias. She was also a realtor, working for Wild Real Estate – another opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
She continued to work part-time until she was 80, when Bernell’s health required her to spend more time at home. After his death, she took to the road again and made it her mission to visit as many of the “old and sick” as she could. We laughed and said, “Mama, aren’t you one of those now, too?” She just gave us a little smile and said nothing.
Since the early 1950s she collected thousands of pairs of eyeglasses to give to the Lions Club Recycle for Sight program. She had a birthday party and asked people to bring canned goods; she recycled before it was popular, taking craft items to Miss Mattie for the children; she supported St. Andrews Mission and MICA.
The McComb Exchange Club presented her with the Book of Golden Deeds – she said she was the first “plain person” to receive it – others before her were ministers and teachers, people she thought were far more deserving. The Enterprise-Journal named her Mother of the Year in 1977, another honor that she felt humbled by. In 1992, the McComb Rotary Club recognized her selfless service to people in the community by presenting her with the “Service Above Self” Award.
Although Bess had always had a flair for writing, she was in her 50s before she decided to get serious about it. For several years she submitted articles to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Jackson Daily News, and the Clarion Ledger. Once again, she relied on her love of people and their stories. She finally got up enough nerve to approach the Enterprise-Journal and ask if they would consider looking at some of her work. This timid inquiry began a 40+ year association, first as a free-lance writer and later with a weekly column which she continued until right after her 95th birthday. When she was 92 she published her book, a compilation of her stories featuring childhood events and interesting people she had met over the years.
Although Bess’ mind stayed sharp, time took a toll on her body and she spent the last few years more home-bound than she liked. She spent many hours on the telephone talking to people about genealogy and long-ago times. She had helped Bernell’s uncle, Hansford Simmons, update the Silver Creek and Bala Chitto Simmons family genealogy books, so people often called to ask about family relationships. Many of these distant relatives would come for a visit and stay for hours. Often when she met someone, she would tell them exactly where they were in the family tree.
Bess was preceded in death by her husband Bernell, her parents, and siblings Eddie VanNorman, Mamie Davis Willoughby (Rose Budd Stevens), and Rhoda Iverson. She is survived by her son Bill and his wife Harriet of Meridian, her daughter Nell and her husband Gary Fuller of Bellevue, NE, her son Bernie and his wife Anna, and her son Van; her grandchildren, Will Simmons and his wife Edie, Catherine Simmons Little and her husband Judge (all of Meridian), Mickie Fuller McConachie and her husband Chad, Katy Fuller Benedict and her husband Scott (all of Omaha, NE), and Carson and Conner Simmons of McComb; and her great-grandchildren, Cate and Lucy Simmons, Elizabeth Scott and Wyatt Bond, Hamp Little, Jamie, Ryan, and Mandy McConachie, and Zac Benedict. Her grandchildren will serve as her pallbearers.
The family would like to thank Bess’ friends who loved her and took the time to visit. They especially want to thank her caregivers over the last few years – Mattie Matthews, Martha Gardner and Emma Smith. They have loved her, taken care of her and enabled her to remain in her home.
Pallbearers will be William Wyatt Simmons, Catherine Simmons Little, Mickie Fuller McConachie, Kathryn Fuller Benedict, Carson Simmons and Conner Simmons.
“Miss Bess” considered it her “calling” to visit the sick and elderly and asked that people remember her by doing this. She asked that memorials be made to St. Andrews Mission of McComb or MICA (McComb Interdenominational Care Agency).
Alice Elizabeth (Bess) VanNorman Simmons was born June 23, 1921, in rural Amite County, Mississippi, near Liberty. She was the daughter of Hiram Lafayette and Pearl Causey VanNorman. As a young girl who was raised on a farm, she was active in the Future Homemakers of America and first met her future husband Bernell at a combined FHA/Future Farmers of America meeting while they were in high school.
She attended Southwest Mississippi Junior College before transferring to LSU where she received a degree in Home Economics. She married Bernell Simmons in 1943 and taught school while he served overseas during World War II and for a few years afterwards. Upon his discharge from the Army, they moved to New Orleans where he went to dental school and their first child, Bill, was born. After his graduation in 1948, the young family moved to McComb where Bernell set up his dental practice and Bess began her life of meeting, greeting, and loving people.
Over the next few years, three more children were born. Her only daughter Nell was followed by Bernie and then Van. Both of the younger boys were born on Bess’ birthday, a feat which Bernell said was one of determination on her part. Once the children were in school, Bess became very involved in PTA and served as an officer many times.
She was a member of the Parnassus Club, a life member of the Junior Auxiliary, and member of J. J. White Memorial Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years, sang in the choir and served in the Women of the church.
She loved people and enjoyed having a job that brought her into contact with them. For many years she worked for the Community Greeting Service, welcoming newcomers to McComb and acquainting them with our fair city. She put many miles on her car traveling the back roads of Pike County selling World Book Encyclopedias. She gave much of the money she made to her favorite charities, and encouraged others to do the same, even donating part of her commission to the churches of people who bought encyclopedias. She was also a realtor, working for Wild Real Estate – another opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
She continued to work part-time until she was 80, when Bernell’s health required her to spend more time at home. After his death, she took to the road again and made it her mission to visit as many of the “old and sick” as she could. We laughed and said, “Mama, aren’t you one of those now, too?” She just gave us a little smile and said nothing.
Since the early 1950s she collected thousands of pairs of eyeglasses to give to the Lions Club Recycle for Sight program. She had a birthday party and asked people to bring canned goods; she recycled before it was popular, taking craft items to Miss Mattie for the children; she supported St. Andrews Mission and MICA.
The McComb Exchange Club presented her with the Book of Golden Deeds – she said she was the first “plain person” to receive it – others before her were ministers and teachers, people she thought were far more deserving. The Enterprise-Journal named her Mother of the Year in 1977, another honor that she felt humbled by. In 1992, the McComb Rotary Club recognized her selfless service to people in the community by presenting her with the “Service Above Self” Award.
Although Bess had always had a flair for writing, she was in her 50s before she decided to get serious about it. For several years she submitted articles to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Jackson Daily News, and the Clarion Ledger. Once again, she relied on her love of people and their stories. She finally got up enough nerve to approach the Enterprise-Journal and ask if they would consider looking at some of her work. This timid inquiry began a 40+ year association, first as a free-lance writer and later with a weekly column which she continued until right after her 95th birthday. When she was 92 she published her book, a compilation of her stories featuring childhood events and interesting people she had met over the years.
Although Bess’ mind stayed sharp, time took a toll on her body and she spent the last few years more home-bound than she liked. She spent many hours on the telephone talking to people about genealogy and long-ago times. She had helped Bernell’s uncle, Hansford Simmons, update the Silver Creek and Bala Chitto Simmons family genealogy books, so people often called to ask about family relationships. Many of these distant relatives would come for a visit and stay for hours. Often when she met someone, she would tell them exactly where they were in the family tree.
Bess was preceded in death by her husband Bernell, her parents, and siblings Eddie VanNorman, Mamie Davis Willoughby (Rose Budd Stevens), and Rhoda Iverson. She is survived by her son Bill and his wife Harriet of Meridian, her daughter Nell and her husband Gary Fuller of Bellevue, NE, her son Bernie and his wife Anna, and her son Van; her grandchildren, Will Simmons and his wife Edie, Catherine Simmons Little and her husband Judge (all of Meridian), Mickie Fuller McConachie and her husband Chad, Katy Fuller Benedict and her husband Scott (all of Omaha, NE), and Carson and Conner Simmons of McComb; and her great-grandchildren, Cate and Lucy Simmons, Elizabeth Scott and Wyatt Bond, Hamp Little, Jamie, Ryan, and Mandy McConachie, and Zac Benedict. Her grandchildren will serve as her pallbearers.
The family would like to thank Bess’ friends who loved her and took the time to visit. They especially want to thank her caregivers over the last few years – Mattie Matthews, Martha Gardner and Emma Smith. They have loved her, taken care of her and enabled her to remain in her home.
Pallbearers will be William Wyatt Simmons, Catherine Simmons Little, Mickie Fuller McConachie, Kathryn Fuller Benedict, Carson Simmons and Conner Simmons.
“Miss Bess” considered it her “calling” to visit the sick and elderly and asked that people remember her by doing this. She asked that memorials be made to St. Andrews Mission of McComb or MICA (McComb Interdenominational Care Agency).
Inscription
She Made Everyone A Welcome Guest
Family Members
See more Simmons or Van Norman memorials in:
- Hollywood Cemetery Simmons or Van Norman
- McComb Simmons or Van Norman
- Pike County Simmons or Van Norman
- Mississippi Simmons or Van Norman
- USA Simmons or Van Norman
- Find a Grave Simmons or Van Norman
