Peggy Jewel (Denton) Simmons

Peggy Simmons, age 85, of Morristown, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 12 at UT Medical Center surrounded by her loving family.   Peggy was raised in Jefferson County and graduated Valedictorian of White Pine High School, class of 1951. She met the love of her life, Hugh Lee Simmons and they were married at White Oak Grove Baptist Church.

Peggy was a partner in the ministry and supported her husband of 63 years in his pastoral role in several area Baptist churches including Mt. Zion (St. Clair), Beulah (Green Co.), Mannings Chapel (Del Rio), Point Pleasant (Newport), and interims at Fernwood (Morristown) and East Rogersville working with the Children-Youth Music Ministry and VBS.   It was Peggy's great joy to serve for many years as pianist and organist at White Oak Grove, as well as Sunday School Teacher, Discipleship Training Director, WMU Director, on the Fellowship Hall Committee, along with many other responsibilities.

Peggy gladly served on the Nolachucky Association of Baptist WMU and was the Discipleship Training Secretary - Treasurer for over 35 years, in addition to working as a caregiver in the community.  Peggy served as organist for French Broad Baptist Church (Jefferson County) for 8 1/2 years, volunteered at the Crisis Pregnancy Center for 10 yrs., helped in feeding the BSM students at WSCC, and then in retirement she and her husband volunteered many hours at the Food Pantry at Grace Baptist Church, where they were faithful members.

Peggy maintained many close friendships down through the years, including life-long friendships with Ruby McMahan, Dot Gilbert, Leesa Law, Dorothy Arwood, and Phillis Singleton. Her personal hobbies included playing the piano, organ, and accordion. She enjoyed cooking and canning the produce from her husband's garden, much of which she shared with family, neighbors, and friends.  She also had a passion for collecting items to pack in her Samaritan Purse Operation Christmas shoe boxes. 

Peggy had a contagious smile and distinctive laugh. Both competitive and witty, she happily played board games, word games and puzzles. She laughed frequently with her many friends at Meadow View Senior Living in Clinton, and especially enjoyed eating and playing Bingo with her gal pals who dubbed themselves "The Wrecking Crew". 

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Lee Simmons; infant son, Hugh Allen Simmons; parents N.C. and Mabel Denton; brothers Calvin, Claude (Buck), and Frederick (Shorty) Denton; sisters Mary Rednower and Christine Kimbrough, all of White Pine.

She is survived by children Pam (Joe) Forgety of Clinton, and Toni Simmons of Alcoa; grandchildren Lee (Abby) Forgety of Powell, Jared (Rachel) Forgety of Andersonville, Loren Forgety of Clinton, twins Alex and Tori Simmons, Janae and Ranay Simmons, all of Alcoa; great granddaughters Emma and Lena Forgety of Powell, and Audrey Forgety of Andersonville; Brother Ronnie (Carolyn) Denton of White Pine; sister in law Helen (Short) Denton of White Pine and a host of nieces and nephews

The family will receive friends from 12pm- 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at Grace Baptist Church in Morristown.   Services will be held at 2 p.m. with Rev. James Williams Jr. and Dr. 

Todd Stinnett officiating. Internment will be immediately following the service at Hamblen Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, monetary donations designated for the food pantry may be sent to Grace Baptist Church, P.O. Box 416, Morristown, TN 37815.

Allen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Meadow View Senior Living of Clinton, Clinch River Home Health of Clinton, Morningview Transitional Care Center of Maryville, and UT Medical Center of Knoxville for their loving care and concern.

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