Obituary of Rebecca H. Simmons

Rebecca "Becky" Simmons, 70, of Vernon Center, went home to be with Jesus the evening of August 1, 2018. She was born on October 1, 1947 the daughter of Vincent and Anne Hunt. She graduated from Vernon Verona Sherrill High School in 1965 and from Potsdam College in 1968 with her degree in education. She married her high school sweetheart, Frank Simmons, of Vernon Center on June 15, 1968 at Vernon Center United Methodist Church. They built their lives in Vernon Center and raised their family, recently celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Becky was employed by Rome City Schools for most of her career where she taught 4th and 2nd graders. She shared her gifts by spending many years teaching piano lessons after school and playing the organ at several area churches including St. Paul's United Methodist Church. She served The Lord with her talents and taught others how to be a faithful servant. To sum up the life of Becky Simmons in a few paragraphs doesn't do her justice on just what an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, or friend that she has been. She was content with being in the background, quietly taking it all in. However, the mark that she has left on those she touched is far from subtle. Becky was a veracious reader and enjoyed learning every day. A teacher by trade, there wasn't a day that passed where she didn't teach somebody something. One of her most natural lessons she taught was to love one another. She lived by that principle everyday of her life. Becky loved music. Playing piano from a young age and trombone through her high school years set the groundwork for her to play the organ at church, sing in Oneida Civic Chorale and seek out performances where she could just sit and enjoy the sounds. Becky's beauty both inside and out was matched only by her generosity and thoughtfulness. She would give you the shirt off her back without question, even if the shirt was brand new and recently delivered from QVC. She gave without expectation of anything in return. She tried to live her life as Christ lived. She often reached out for those that were hurting and did what she could to make someone's day better. She could be found crocheting a baby blanket for a friend or sending a gift to someone that needed a pick me up. Her love for her husband and her family was just as God intended. She made dinner time a priority as she made some variation of meat and potatoes for her farmer husband and kids. In her later years, she taught her family how to make their way around the kitchen so they could finally make some meals for her. Frank and Becky were a team in life and drew strength from one another. Theirs is a story of love. Her great joys in life were her children and grandchildren. Each one with their own special relationship and always gave the best parts of herself to them. She naturally brought people together and was the glue for her family. There is no one like her – there is only one Yaya that made such a deep impact on the lives of her family. Surviving are her loving husband Frank, her son Michael ( Michelle) Simmons, of Vernon Center, her daughter Cheryl Simmons of Vernon Center, and her daughter Suzanne (Ryan) Kuepper of Oneida. Also surviving are her most precious grandchildren Bailey and Lacey Simmons, both of Vernon Center, to whom she will always be their Yaya. Also surviving are her special nephew Art Freemire, of Vernon Center, her beloved sister Rita Deal, of Macedon, NY, her mother Anne Hunt of Clinton, her brothers Brian, Brad and Jeff Hunt, and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be Monday August 6, 2018 at Plymouth Alliance Church at 169 Kinsley Street Sherrill, NY from 4 -8 pm. Funeral services will be Tuesday August 7, 2018 at Plymouth Alliance Church in Sherrill, NY at 10 am. Graveside services will be held immediately following at Skinner Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Becky Simmons Memorial Music Scholarship Fund at VVS schools at 5275 State Route 31 Verona NY 13478.