Avis L. Simmons, 100, of Irvington, passed away Monday, April 4, 2022 at Fairview Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in DuQuoin. Avis worked as a secretary for the Howard Baldridge Company and the Mulvaney Oil Company for many years until her retirement. She was a member of the Friedens United Church of Christ in Irvington. Avis loved woodworking, making crafts and going to craft fairs. She also enjoyed making homemade fruit jellies.
Funeral Services for Avis Simmons will be held Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia with Rev. Stacy Tate officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Centralia. Visitation will be held Saturday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Friedens United Church of Christ and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Simmons Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook Page.
She is survived by her two sons and daughter: Grady Lee Sorrows and wife Carolyn of DuQuoin, Wendell Dugan and wife Blanche of Effingham, and Shirley “Becky” Harsha and husband Ted of DuQuoin; step-son: Hervey Simmons III and wife Nancy of Arizona; a step-daughter: Vida Schneider of Columbia, Missouri; eight grandchildren and four step grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren and five great-step-grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren and three on the way; and several nieces and nephews.
She was born September 21, 1921 in Centralia, the daughter of Samuel Jessie Ghere and Nancy Elizabeth (Thompson) Ghere. Avis was preceded in death by her parents, three husbands, three brothers: Morris Ghere and wife Doris, Willis Ghere and wife Georgia, and Wilburn Ghere and wife Ann, and a sister: Mae Seiber and husband Clyde of Irvington.
