Mary Ruth Brown Simmons

Ruth Brown Simmons, 83, of Siler City, North Carolina, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 7, 2018 in Sylvania, Ohio. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 14, at 11:00 a.m., at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home 230 N. Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344. A funeral service will be celebrated in memory of Ruth at 12:00 p.m., immediately following the visitation. Rev. Bob Wachs will preside. A private family burial will follow at Forrest Lawn Cemetery, 3901 Forest Lawn Drive, Greensboro, North Carolina 27455. Ruth was born to Vera and Millard Brown on September 19, 1934 at the family farm in Bennett, North Carolina. She was the youngest of their seven children. Ruth attended Bennett High School and went on to earn a cosmetology license. She began her career in Sarasota, Florida and worked in salons for over 30 years. She was an adept stylist who specialized in razor cuts. Ruth was an excellent cook best remembered for her many Sunday family dinners and her Texas cake. She enjoyed gardening and took great care to create a beautiful environment in her home. She was young at heart and quick to laugh and share happy times with others. Ruth was a caring and helpful friend to one and all. She will be missed and remembered fondly by all who knew her. Ruth is survived by her son, Gregory Thomas, daughter-in law, Andrea Thomas, stepson, William L. Simmons, daughter-in-law, Kathleen M. Simmons, grandchildren, Austin Thomas, Drew Thomas, Caroline Thomas, Marcy Burke, William R. Simmons, Ryan Simmons, Patrona Simmons, Frederick Simmons, Benjamin Simmons, Holly Simmons, nieces and nephews Becky McNeill, Wayne Burgess, Nancy Allred, Bill Brown, Ronnie Brown, Cynthia Beane, and brother-in-law Dwight Beane. She is preceded in death by her husband, William Earl Simmons, stepson, Stephen E. Simmons, siblings, Ralph Brown, Lewis Brown, Lydia Brown Smith, Joe Brown, Virginia Brown Young, Rachel Brown Beane, and nephew, Dwight Beane, Jr. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in honor of Ruth to Pleasant Grove Christian Church Cemetery, P.O. Box 94, Bennett, North Carolina, 27208. Online condolences may be made at www.pughfuneralhome.com.