Shirley Ellen Simmons

SHIRLEY ELLEN SIMMONS—

Feb. 6, 1937---June 7, 2017

Overbrook, Kansas--- Shirley Ellen Simmons, age 80, passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 7 ^th , 2017 at Brookside Retirement Community with her daughter, Vicky and son, Doc by her side.  She was born on Feb. 6, 1937 in Bear Creek, Missouri in Cedar county. She was the daughter of the late Dewey and Gladys King of Stockton, Missouri.

She was a graduate of Stockton High School, where she was named the outstanding girl athlete. Shirley thoroughly enjoyed athletics, square dancing, gardening, people, and spending time on her farm north of Overbrook.  She was a huge Cardinal baseball fan, loved the KU Jayhawks, and supported her kid’s sports teams.

In 1954, Shirley was united in marriage to Ulen Simmons.  They had a daughter Vicky Simmons.  They separated after a few years.  Later Shirley married Charles Simmons and they had three sons, Eddy, Steve and Terry “Doc” and a daughter Mary Simmons.  She eventually separated from him.

Raising her five kids remained the most important part of her life. Family, friends, and serving the Community were “Shirley’s passion and delight.  Her greatest love was spending time with all her grandkids and attending their sports events.

In the late 50s, Shirley owned and operated the Corner Café in Stockton Missouri.  She later lived in Iowa and Lawrence Kansas where she worked at Boyd’s Grill and Hallmarks card.   In 1962, she opened “Shirley’s café in Overbrook, a self- supporting and fantastic place to eat.  Shirley became an iconic woman in Overbrook.  She had great people skills and her constant joking with customers was almost as good as a “Shirley’s Special Hamburger.”  Shirley sincerely loved people and enjoyed teasing them.  She was an excellent cook and prepared home-cooked meals for her family and friends.  Her staff not only consisted of her five children, grandchildren, and many local people, including high school students in Overbrook.  She retired after 50 years.

Shirley has two surviving daughters, Vicky Jones and husband Clint of Stillwater, Oklahoma and Mary Simmons of Overbrook. She also has two surviving sons living in Overbrook, Eddy Simmons and wife Nadine, Terry “Doc” Simmons and wife Sally. Granddaughters include, Amy Goff and husband Matt of Paris, Tagney Walters and husband Nick of Vermillion, South Dakota, Matley Jones of Delano, Minnesota, Brianna Brown of Topeka, Kansas, and Keesha Simmons of Overbrook Kansas.  Grandsons include Jason Simmons and wife Kami of Lyndon, Kansas, Jacob Simmons and wife Kylee of Burlingame, Kansas, Levi Spencer of Minnesota, Dallas Jones and wife Hannah of Aurora Colorado, Montana Jones, of Lincoln, Nebraska, Blake Brown and wife Kelcie of Overbrook Kansas. Great grandchildren include, Logan and Jameson Goff of Paris,  Morgan Simmons of Topeka, Kansas, Avary Simmons of Lyndon, Joselyn and Gracie Simmons of Burlingame Ks., Barrett and Hadlee Brown of Overbrook, and Brinlieth and Brody Brown of Topeka Ks. Several nieces and nephews in Texas and a sister-in-law Gloria King.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Dewey and Gladys King, a brother, James King, and son, Steve Simmons.

Shirley was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, aunt and a friend to all who knew her. She will be remembered for her kindness and sense of humor. She leaves behind many friends who came to love her.  She was not only a friend to many but she cared for those who could not care for themselves.  She will be deeply missed but fondly remain in the hearts and thoughts of her family and many friends forever.

A celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 18 ^th , at 2:00 p.m. at the Overbrook City Library, Overbrook Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to Overbrook Ball Association or The Overbrook Library, and sent to Davidson Funeral Home, 1035 N. Kansas Ave.  Topeka Kansas, 66608.