Bettie Simmons

Bettie Henly James “Betsy” Simmons, age 90, died at home on November 14, 2023. Born July 9, 1933, to W. Rodney and Bettie Woodward James, she lived in Mobjack until her father died when she was seven. At that time, she and her mother moved back to the family farm, Walboro, in Saluda. Betsy graduated from Saluda High School in 1951, and attended The College of William and Mary, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and graduated with majors in Mathematics and Chemistry. While in college, she worked at Langley Air Force Base. In 1956, she married Peter Montague Simmons, and they lived in several states before settling in Newport News in 1962 and then returning to Walboro in 1973.

Before becoming disabled from cancer in 1992, Betsy was very involved with the Episcopal Church Women of Christ Church and helped with the Cemetery Committee. She was a member of the Urbanna Library Committee and worked to fund and to physically move the contents in the Urbanna Library from the Old Tobacco Warehouse to its current location. Betsy co-authored the book “Historic Buildings in Middlesex County Virginia, 1650-1775.” She was also on the Middlesex County Cemetery Survey Committee and researched and located numerous old cemeteries and gravestones in the county for the book “Cemeteries in Middlesex County Virginia.”

While she taught math, chemistry, and physics in various local schools, her heart belonged to the students at Middlesex High School. She could be found cheering on her Chargers at all sporting events, but she especially loved watching the basketball teams, as she had played basketball in high school. In track season, she could be found timing events at home meets. During football season, she was always watching or listening to UVA football on the radio while raking leaves.

Betsy lived the years she was disabled with grace, courage, and dignity, and she never lost her sense of humor nor her ability to calculate math and physics problems in her head. She was one of the most knowledgeable individuals regarding the history of Middlesex County.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Page (John), step grandson Chad Page (Megan), and her great granddaughter Margeaux Page. Over the years, her caregivers became family, and she was especially grateful for Beverly White, Barbara Carter, and Brenda Cordle for their years of help. In addition, Andrea Adams, Heather Wright, and Jenny Williams became invaluable. The family would also like to thank Heather Fochtmann, Angela Overstreet, and Taylor Miller of Riverside Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department, 335 Virginia St., Urbanna, VA 23175 or St. Jude’s, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at Christ Church Parish Cemetery, Saluda. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 20, 2023, at Bristow-Faulkner Funeral Home, Saluda.

Faulkner Funeral Home, Bristow-Faulkner Chapel, Saluda will be assisting the family with services.