Jacqueline Simmons

Jacqueline Eugenie (Guerbet) Simmons, passed away on February 21, 2020, in Pascagoula, Mississippi at the age of 84 years old.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Marie Lucie (Marache) Guerbet; and several of her brothers and sisters in France.

Jacqueline is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Jimmy L. Simmons, resident of Gautier, MS; her children, Brigitte Simmons Cherubini, of Gautier, MS., Pandora Patricia Lynne Simmons, of Houston, TX., and Jimmy Wayne Simmons and his spouse Rebecca Warth Simmons of Ocean Springs, MS; grandchildren, Claire Odum, Houston, TX; Jack Odum, Houston, TX; Amelia Anderson, Ocean Springs, MS; and Martin Anderson, Ocean Springs, MS; other relatives, Richard Odum, son--in-law, San Angelo, TX. Close family friends Cindy Vaughn, Jonathan Russell, Joshua Russell and Eva Russell, all of Vancleave, MS.

She was a native of Soissons, France. Resident of Gautier, MS. And had many achievements and recognitions: She was an accomplished chef, the best mother ever and friend to all. She once won first place in the Jackson County Fair, Pascagoula, Mississippi in 1993, for crocheting a beautiful American flag. She had many hobbies and interests, especially cooking for family and friends, sewing, crochet, knitting, her goldfish pond, doll collecting, amateur radio (N5PHA), and nurturing those in need.

As a young child in Soissons, France during World War II, she experienced many hardships, one of which was Nazi soldiers inhabiting their house. After the war, the family was split up and she and one of her sisters went into a convent. Released at 18, she worked as a maid. Later, while working as a waitress in Soissons, she met her husband to be, Jimmy Simmons, a GI in the United States Air Force. And the rest is history.

Jackie could be called a dynamic woman of compassion. She never found fault or criticized, and she laughed a lot. Even in her years of dialysis, she never complained or felt sorry for herself; instead she made cupcakes for the medical staff. But she was not a pushover. She would not tolerate disrespect... and would let you know it. She was very intelligent, but did not flaunt it.

The common thread that ran through her life was her need to help and care for others. We will never forget the love and compassion that she showed to everyone she met, and we can only hope to live by her example.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. until the 12:00 p.m. funeral service at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd. at Washington Ave. in West Jackson County.  Interment will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery.

An online register may be viewed, memories, condolences and photo’s shared at www.riemannfamily.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital at Stjude.org/Memorial or mail to: St. Jude Memorial Giving at 501 St. Jude Place Memphis,TN  38105