Nan Nelson Simmons

Nan Nelson Simmons, 63, died at home on July 26, 2013. Born as Nancy Rene Nelson on March 17, 1950 in Pine Bluff, the daughter of the late Knox A. and Nancy Cearley Nelson, Nan grew up in Pine Bluff, graduating from Pine Bluff High School in 1968. She attended Arkansas State University for one year, then attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where she earned her Master's degree in speech pathology. She was a member of Chi Omega Sorority and selected as a Razorback Beauty. Returning to Pine Bluff, Nan worked at Jenkins Memorial Center as a speech/language pathologist before joining her family business, Knox Nelson Oil Company, a bulk oil distributor and convenience store operator with numerous locations in Arkansas. She was currently CEO of that company. Knox Nelson Oil Co. sponsors and supports numerous events benefiting the communities in which it operates. An active member of First United Methodist Church, she sang as a choir member and soloist there for over 30 years. Very active in the Pine Bluff business community, she was a member of the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas Endowment Board and a past Center Board member. Nan has been involved with the Arts Center since the early 80's, appearing onstage in over 15 shows over the years including the original Razzle Dazzle casts, Guys and Dolls, Anything Goes, The Sound of Music, her favorite-playing Sister Mary Amnesia in Nunsense, and this year, in Love Letters. Nan enjoyed spending time at her lake house in Heber Springs and loved being on the water and ringing a bell at sunset. Her favorite thing though was spending time with her grandchildren who called her "Honey". Her survivors include her daughter, Ashley Simmons Perry and her husband, Robert, of Memphis, Tennessee; her son, John Andrew Nelson "Andy" Simmons of Little Rock; her grandchildren, Knox Nelson Perry, Ada Grace Perry, Lucy Clare Perry, and August Anne Perry of Memphis; and her aunt, Imogene Bledsoe of Hot Springs Village. Services are Tuesday, July 30, 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Pine Bluff, with Reverend David Fleming officiating. Interment follows in Graceland Cemetery by Ralph Robinson and Son. Visitation is at Robinson's Monday evening from 5-7 p.m. Memorials are requested to First United Methodist Church, Box 8003, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71611, or to the Arts and Science Center Endowment, 701 S. Main Street, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71601. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.