Eva Faye Simmons, lovingly known as "Faye", was born March 6, 1942 in the small town of Woodbury, TN. She grew up on a farm where she adored her father, Bill Whitfield, and would help him with any task just to be with him, including gigging frogs and skinning squirrels. Her father was a spiritual man with a quiet gentleness about him. Her mother, Irene Whitfield, was a strong woman with an equally strong faith, which she instilled in both Faye and her older sister, Neoma. While both Faye and Neoma would agree that Faye was an irritating little sister, they became best friends as young adults and that friendship and sisterly bond only grew stronger with age.

Faye married Joe Donald Simmons, also from Woodbury, just a month after turning 19. They shared 57 years of marriage and three children: Tony Joe Simmons, Perry Trent Simmons and Sandra Faye Simmons. They spent most of their married life together in Murfreesboro. Don was a loyal, hard-working husband who always put in long hours to support his family. Faye was a devoted wife and an exceptional mother with an unfailing love and support for her children. She served as the spiritual head of our household. She was also very much the heart of our family.

She instilled a sense of faith, unconditional love and a generous kindness in anyone who knew her because that is how she led her own life. She had a way of making you feel special, and she seemed to be everyone's confidante. We have joked that there is no telling how many family secrets she is taking with her.

Beyond her family, she was also a dear friend to many. She worked for over 20 years in the Murfreesboro public school system, first as a beloved teacher's aide and then in the administrative offices. Many of her co-workers became close friends, undoubtedly because Faye could always be counted on to come to work with a generous smile, a warm heart and a can-do attitude. She also took great joy in her church community at Kingwood Heights Church of Christ, which has always been a tremendous source of faith and friendship to her throughout the years.

We are so deeply saddened by the loss of such a special lady. There is a chasm in each of our hearts that seems impossible to fill. Eva Faye Simmons is survived by her loyal husband Don, her best friend and sister Neoma, three adoring children, a daughter-in-law whom she loved like a second daughter, a son-in-law who has the utmost respect for her, six loving grandchildren, one great-grandson, and countless friends who were dear to her heart. Because she always put everyone else's happiness and well-being before her own, she would want each of us to spend little time mourning her loss and more time celebrating her life and appreciating each other. We can only hope to emulate her kind, generous soul – it's no wonder God wanted her to join Him. We are so incredibly blessed to have known her. She was a tremendous gift to each of us.

Visitation with the family will be held on Monday, October 15th, 2018 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Kingwood Church of Christ. A memorial service will be Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior to the service.

An online guestbook is available for the family at www.woodfinchapel.com . (615) 893-5151