Mary I. Simons

Mary I. Simons was born on January 2, 1933, in Dyersburg, TN. to Wallace Ivory and Nell Ann Jelks. She was the only child born to this union and was raised in a Christian home, where she accepted Christ at an early age. Mary graduated from Scott High School in Toledo, Ohio in 1951. She loved to attend school where English was her favorite subject and she was an avid reader of books.

After high school, Mary worked at the Toledo Bell telephone company as a phone operator. Wanting to see the world, Mary enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1957.

Mary met Eural Claude while both being stationed at Andrews Air Force Base and he became the love of her life. The happy couple was married on August 10, 1957, and the couple became a blended family with Country Pope, Shelley Simons, and Kenney Simons.

Mary worked for the Department of Civil Service for 30 years at various locations, including the Air Force Academy in Colorado and Ramstein Air Base in Germany. She retired in 1990 as the March Air Force Base Records Manager.

Mary was kind to everyone she met and had a beautiful sense of humor. She was caring, smart and truly loved the Lord. In her spare time she enjoyed watching old movies, sports, and traveling with family and friends. Mary always enjoyed a good game of cards and discussing about politics. She loved to attend family gatherings to spend time with her family.

Mary will be remembered for her wit and famous sayings, such as “now run and tell that”, “Que Sera, Sera”, “I love you more”, “hey dude” (aka Claude), “you are my sunshine”, “Mox-Nix”, and “this game is over.” She will always be remembered for being a “swell girl.”

Mary was called home to be with the Lord on December 28, 2020. She was preceded in death by her father Wallace Ivory and mother Nell Ann Jelks of Toledo, Ohio.

Mary leaves to cherish her memories, husband of 63 years Eural Claude Simons of Moreno Valley, CA; children: Shelley Simons, Kenneth Simons of Riverside, CA, and Courtney Pope (Waldo) of Rosendale, NY; daughter in-law: Mary Edgers-Simons of Riverside, CA; grandchildren: Stephanie Peterson, Sarinah Simons and Marcus Simons of Riverside, CA, Sean Pope and Timothy Pope of Rosendale, NY; great-grandson: Princeton B. Gentry; special friends: Ruth Smith of Moreno Valley, CA, Rosetta Bullock of Allen, TX, Susan Crowder of Riverside, CA, Lola Fry of Moreno, CA and Helens Simons of Tampa, FL and a host of other relatives and friends.

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