Obituary of Joy Simmons

Joy Simmons passed away on March 21, 2022 at age 66. The Funeral Service, conducted by Brother Scott Moore, is 11 a.m. Friday, March 25, 2022 in the chapel of Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN. Interment will follow the service in Old Union Cemetery, Sparta TN. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home on Friday from 10 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m.

               Joy Elise Drake Simmons was born in Cookeville TN to Faith Sharon Ellerby Drake and Donald Moore Drake.  She married the love of her life Malcolm “Bud” Simmons on July 17, 1983 and they were married for 38 years.  Joy’s love for children led to an Early Childhood Education degree at Vol State. She had her own in-home daycare for 13 years before working for Mid-Cumberland Head Start for 14 years while obtaining her degree. She enjoyed cooking, grilling-out, gardening, football, music, and being outside. She was most proud of her twins Jason and Celia.

               She is survived by husband Malcolm “Bud” Simmons; twins Jason Simmons and Celia (Jeremy) Taylor; step-daughter: Andrea Simmons; grandsons: Jackson Simmons and Grady Taylor; brother: Steve Drake; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by parents Sherry and Don Drake, and sister Rebecca “Becky” Tone Drake. Pallbearers: Mark Clemmons, Tony Kelley, Will Kennedy, James Johnstone Jr.  Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.