Barbara A. Simmons, 78, of Edina, Missouri, formerly of Newark, Missouri, passed away Monday, February 16, 2015, at the Knox County Nursing Home in Edina, Missouri.
Barbara was born on December 21, 1936, near Newburg, Iowa, the daughter of Carl Eugene and Edith Elzina Hanson Breeden.
She attended schools in Iowa, Texas and Missouri before graduating from the Knox County High School in the Class of 1954.
On December 2, 1955, in Shelbina, Missouri, she married Bobby Joe Simmons and they celebrated more than 59 years together.
They farmed near Plevna, Missouri before purchasing a farm northwest of Newark, Missouri to make their home. Always a farmer’s wife until they moved to Branson, Missouri in 1992 where she worked at the Country Barn Craft Shop. In 2008 they returned to Knox County and made their home in Edina, Missouri.
She was a member of the Plevna Christian Church in Plevna, Missouri. Barbara enjoyed gardening, canning, playing cards, quilts, traveling, bluegrass music festivals and crafts but most of all she loved time spent with her family and friends.
Barbara is survived by her husband Bobby Simmons of Edina, Missouri; three children, Joe and his wife Wanda Simmons of Novelty, Missouri, Twila Jean and her husband R.B. Walter of Lewistown, Missouri and Mark Alan and his wife Debbi Simmons of Columbia, Missouri; grandchildren, Katie Jo Simmons of Monroe City, Missouri, Juleen and her husband Kyle Brumbaugh of Liberty, Missouri, Rebecca and Alicia Simmons of Columbia, Missouri; step grandchildren, Kim Johnson of Novelty, Missouri, Dana Johnson of Quincy, Illinois, Joey Sharp of Novelty, Missouri and Chad Walter of Oregon; a great grandson, Liam Brumbaugh; three sisters, Gladys Olsen of Oregon, Mildred Jennings of Newark, Missouri and Geri Walker of Newark, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Essie Breeden of Willow Springs, Missouri, Shirley and her husband Joe Don Stout of Newark, Missouri, and Donna Faye Simmons of Novelty, Missouri; three brothers-in-law, Larry “Pete” and his wife Brenda Simmons of Novelty, Missouri, Darrell and his wife Gaila Simmons of Novelty, Missouri, and Gary and his wife Debbie Simmons of LaPlata, Missouri; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Edith Breeden in 1974, 1975; two sister, Lorene Petrie in 2003, Betty Simmons in 2014, and a brother, Harold Breeden in 2012.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 19, 2015, at the Doss Funeral Home in Edina, Missouri.
Visitation with the family will be from 12 noon on Thursday until service time at the funeral Home.
Pastor R.B. Walter will officiate and Honorary Bearers will be Joe Allen and Louise Moyer, Donald and Shirley Hall, and Beth Bacon.
An expression of sympathy in memory of Barbara Simmons may be left to the Knox County Nutrition Site or the Knox County Relay for Life. A memorial may be left at or mailed to the Doss Funeral Home 208 North 4th Street, Edina, Missouri 63537.
