Mary Jane Simmons

On June 17, 2012 Mary Jane Stone Simmons of Texarkana, Ark., passed from this world to be with her Lord. She was born in Texarkana, Arkansas on April 21, 1926. Mary Jane was the wife of A.J. Simmons for 54 years until he predeceased her in 2002, and they were business partners in Simmons Hardware and Building Supply for 48 years. She was the mother of three children and their spouses, Beverly Simmons Cotton and Marshall of Tupelo, Miss., Judy Simmons Henry and Cliff of Conway, Ark., David Simmons and Angie of Texarkana, Ark. and a baby boy who predeceased her. Her grandchildren are Matthew Mahan and his wife Morgan, Daniel Mahan, Joseph Henry Jr., David Simmons Henry, Andrew Simmons, Amanda Simmons, Brittney Ray, Cheri Cotton Burleson, Chris Cotton, and Clay Cotton. She has a 96 year old sister, Vida Dell Owens, formerly of Texarkana, Arkansas, and now living in Dallas, Texas. She has six great-grandchildren and over 30 nieces and nephews from the Stone and Simmons families. Mary Jane's father and mother were William C. and Clemmie Clifford Stone of Texarkana, Ark., and she was the ninth of 10 children, Festus Stone, Vio Pierce, Vernie Stone, Dessie Kipple, Lucille Millis, Chester Stone, Vida Dell Owens, Clemmie Lee McNatt, and her baby brother Buddy Stone. Mary Jane was a Godly example for her children and grandchildren. Her life demonstrated her commitment to her Christian faith. She was an active member of Beech Street First Baptist Church of Texarkana. She will be remembered for the way she loved her Lord with all her heart, mind, soul and strength and demonstrated that daily in the way she put the needs of others ahead of her own. She enjoyed being engaged with her family and their friends. She cared about the details of each of their lives, loved to listen, prayed daily for the needs of every one of her children and their families, and thanked God for the blessings they were to her. She was naturally engaging and had a way about her that made you comfortable. Each family member feels blessed to have shared such a close, loving relationship with her because of the active part she was in their lives. Mary Jane was an avid fan of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, particularly football and gymnastics. She had a keen business acumen, enjoyed traveling and learning but most of all, spending time with her Stone and Simmons families. God blessed her and the world with 86 fullfilling years of life. She truly lived out God's plan for her life to be the woman He created her to be. A celebration of Mary Jane's life will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 20, 2012, at Beech Street First Baptist Church with Rev. Craig Jenkins and Rev. Richard Posey officiating. Burial will be at East Memorial Gardens under the direction of Texarkana Funeral Home, Ark. The family will receive friends at Texarkana Funeral Home, 4801 Loop 245, Texarkana, Ark., from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to KLFI TV or the New Day Fund at Beech Street First Baptist Church, 601 Beech Street, Texarkana, Ark. 71854. Online registration is at www.texarkanafuneralhome.com.