Funeral services for Audrey Cowart Simmons, of Brookhaven, are Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with burial in Mt. Zion Church of Christ. Riverwood Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is today from 5 to 9 p.m. at Riverwood and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church.

Mrs. Simmons, 90, died Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. She was born Feb. 21, 1926, to Edgar Fenton Cowart and Myrtle Laird Cowart.

She was a member of Florida Boulevars Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for 42 years and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church since 1955. She was a member of the first graduating class of West Lincoln in 1943. After graduation, she moved to Jackson to attend Draughns Business College, and was soon accepted as a clerical worker for the F.B.I. in Washington, D.C. in the fingerprint division. It was there that she met her husband and the love of her life, Buddy Simmons.

Mrs. Simmons was employed early on in her marriage, but the roll of “mama” was most fulfilling. Her relationship with the Lord was paramount, and she loved and served Him daily.

In her own words, her greatest desire was to pass on a spiritual legacy and foundational work that would be a lasting influence in the lives of her family.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband of 52 years, Lewis L. “Buddy” Simmons; son, David Charles Simmons; grandson, Joseph Allen Martin; great-grandson, Coby Mack Martin; brother, George C. Cowart; and brother-in-law, Wayne B. Myers.

Suvivors are her daughter, Leah Melinda Skains and husband, Lamar; sister, Sharon Cowart Myers; three grandchildren, Joshua Lee Martin and wife, Amber, Jacob Paul Martin and wife, Ashley, and Jessie Danielle Martin; five great-grandchildren, Conner Lewis Martin, Aibry Laine Martin, Carah Brook Martin, Rhyder Allen Martin and Caston Lake Martin; and a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

To express your thoughts to the family, you may visit riverwoodfamily.com and click on her name to leave a comment.