Shirley L. Simmons, 85 of Abingdon, passed away at 7:45 a.m. Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Seminary Manor in Galesburg.
She was born February 28, 1937 in Abingdon, the daughter of Homer and Ann (Mc Cune) Johnson. She married Richard V. Riggs and they later divorced. She then married Richard “Dick” Simmons on June 14, 2005 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Abingdon.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Richard “Dick” Simmons; one son, Rod (Christy) Riggs of Galesburg; three grandchildren, Connor Riggs of Galesburg, Collin Riggs of Manhattan, New York and Lauren Riggs of Brooklyn, New York; a sister-in-law, Helen Johnson of Santa Fe, New Mexico; and cousins and nephews and their families.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Everett and Bob, and a daughter-in-law, Donna Riggs.
Shirley graduated from Abingdon High School in 1955. She worked as a Mental Health Technician at the Galesburg Mental Health Center and later at the Lincoln Mental Health Center, retiring on January 1, 1998. She lived in Abingdon most of her life and also in Berwick, Galesburg and Lincoln, Illinois. She was a member of the First Assembly of God in Abingdon and volunteered for the “Mother’s Day Out” child care program. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading and painting.
As she requested, cremation will be accorded. In celebration of her life, her family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 2, 2022, at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel. Private burial of her cremains will be in the Abingdon Cemetery.
