Bessie D. Simms

Delores Bessie Simms, daughter of the late George and Denna Carter was born on June 23, 1917 in Westmoreland County, VA. She departed her life on April 11, 2013 after 95 long beautiful years. She received her education in the Westmoreland County public Schools. Macedonia Baptist Church was her home where she was committed member and was baptized. Delores was employed at Stella Maris Nursing for many years where she was a cook. Delores spent her life playing a Big role in her grand kids and great-grands kids lives. She will be remembered for her loud yells throughout the neighborhood, the many lives she touched in the neighborhood/residences and her love for her “Double Mint” gum that she chewed for decades until days before she was called to heaven. With a love for flowers she would take good of her rose bush in her backyard where the kids knew NOT to play or there would be consequences. Delores lived in Florida, /Washington, D.C. And Maryland where she decided to settled and make a home. But even with her decision to settle she made it her business to spend time each summer in Colonial Beach, VA where her and the rest of the grand kids and family would travel to share great memories.(with her late siblings and son and her other grand kids) She had a way of making everyone laugh with her many stories and in neighborhood she was known to always be sitting in the front window watching everything that went on. She will be missed dearly. Delores was the last of 4 other siblings Lillie Mae Bushrod, Minnie Bell Coleman, William Carter and George Ellis Carter. She married the late Chester McDowney and Charles Simms, and out of this unions she has one surviving son Andre Marcus Simms(Shelly Venable-Simms and two deceased children, Chester “Freddie” McDowney and Delores “Jean” Howell. She leaves to mourn a loving son Andre Marcus Simms, 12 grandkids, Tlanikka Simms, Marcus Simms, Marc Simms, Delilah Payne, Yolarida Reed (Gary Reed), Quincy McDowney (Tina McDowney), Connie Bailey (Michael Bailey) Lisa Sharpe (Mike Sharpe), Aretha McDowney, Larry McDowney (Faye McDowney) and Kent McDowney, Delores also leaves to mourn 18 great grand kids and a host of special cousins, nieces, and nephews, and loving friends.

Tributes

Bessie D. Simms

July 26, 1917 - April 11, 2013