Judith Anne Simmons

Judith Anne "Judy" Simmons, age 71, a long-time resident of McLoud Nursing Center, McLoud, Oklahoma fortified by the Last Rites of the Catholic Church passed away on January 2, 2023, at the center.

Friends and loved ones may pay their respects to Judy at Walker Funeral & Cremation Service from 5-7pm on Sunday, January 8, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10AM Monday, January 9, 2023 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Shawnee with Father Boodali Damian Lawrence officiating.

Judy was born on July 17, 1951 in Glasgow, Scotland to James Brooks and Agnes Brooks nee Blair. As a young woman, she met David Lee Simmons while he was serving in the United States Navy on the submarine tenders USS Canopus and Simon Lake at the Holy Loch, Dunoon Scotland. They were married in 1967 in Dunoon and soon returned to David's hometown of Unionsville, Missouri. David continued to serve his country and they moved to various US naval bases including San Diego, CA, and Waukegan, IL. Eventually Judy and David moved to Oklahoma and settled in Norman. Their marriage bore their loving daughter Lorraine Anne. Tragically, while enroute to work at Tinker AFB, David lost his life in an automobile accident. David's death devastated Judith so much that she became ill and eventually was admitted to Whispering Pines Nursing Home in Norman, OK and then to McLoud Nursing Center. Early in her career Judith worked for Don James as the plant manager overseeing soapstone carving. Later, she served for several years as director of Connections, a mental health inpatient facility. Following her time at Connections, Judith attained her CNA certification, working at Whispering Pines and later McLoud Nursing Center before her illness disallowed her to work.

Survivors include her daughter Lorraine Childers and husband Bill of Norman, OK, granddaughter Jordan Childers, of Norman, OK, brothers David Brooks of Toronto, Ontario, James Brooks of Toronto, Ontario and John Brooks of Coatbridge near Glasgow, Scotland and the loving staff of McLoud Nursing Center. Judith was preceded in death by her parents and grandson William Benton.

Arrangements are under the direction of Walker Funeral & Cremation Service.

Go raibh míle maith agat!

Sir David Brooks (Ontario, Canada), Mr John G. Brooks, and Mr John P.B. Brooks (both of Strathclyde, Scotland) wish to express their heartfelt thanks to the following for their caring, concern, compassion and understanding after the passing of their beloved sister and aunt, Judith Anne Simmons (nee Brooks) on January 2, 2023.

We want to thank the staff and residents of McLoud Nursing Home, McLoud, OK, for the love and care they gave Judith over the many years she was a resident. They provided her with a home and family, loved her as she loved them, and considered McLoud, NH, her home and the staff and residents as her family. We extend special thanks to Marilyn Love, Administrator at Mcloud, for being more than a member of the team; Marilyn was also a member of Judith's family and a great friend. She was a vital link in informing us about Judith's situation. Our thanks extend to Juanita Nabors, a fellow resident, family, friend and spiritual soulmate.

We thank Father Devasahayam Undralla, parish priest of Saint Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, McLoud, OK., for administering to Judith's spiritual and faith needs over the years she was a resident at McLoud Nursing Home. Also, we thank Father Undralla for providing spiritual care to Judith in her final days and giving her the Sacrament of the Sick (The Last Rites) to strengthen her in her final journey into the arms of the loving GOD.

The family thanks Joelle Volpe of Harrah for leading the Holy Rosary at the end of the visitation. She strengthened the family spiritually and prepared it for the challenging day and time ahead.

Thank you to St. Benedict's Catholic Church, Shawnee, OK, for being the venue for the Mass of Christian Burial and especially Father Boodali Damian Laurence, the officiating clergy, for a comforting service. We are very thankful to the Organist, Carolyn Taron, the Cantor, Joy Yocum and, the Choir members, Vicki Milliken, Linda Edwards, Gretchen Schrupp, for the beautiful music and hymn singing. We are eternally grateful to the Knights of Columbus Shawnee Council #1018, Jim Ruth, Mike Piggott, and William Chapman, for assisting at the funeral as Honour Guard.

Finally, we thank Walker Funeral & Cremation Services, Shawnee, OK, and especially Mark W. Riley, President and Funeral Director, for arranging and coordinating Judith's funeral as we came from Canada and Scotland. Mark cared for everything so well that we had the time and space to grieve, making us feel like family. Mark's staff were so caring and attentive and prepared Judith so well for her final earthly journey that she seemed only to be peacefully sleeping.