Willene Hollingsworth HItchcock Simons

Longtime educator with the Van Buren County school system, Willene Hollingsworth Hitchcock Simons died peacefully at home after an extended illness on August 5, 2017. She was a classroom teacher for 23 years and Supervisor of Instruction for 16 years. She earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from Tennessee Technological University and was a member of Phi Delta Kappa and Delta Kappa Gamma educational societies. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. She was born August 17, 1921. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Lyda Hollingsworth; her sister, Irene H. Simmons; husbands, Leffie T. Hitchcock and George C. Simons; daughter, Deborah Hitchcock Moffitt; and nephew, Fred H. Simmons. She is survived by her daughter, Joyce Hitchcock Grissom of Laurel Cove; four grandsons and their wives, Jeff and Billie Grissom of Laurel Cove, Scott and Kathie Grissom of Tullahoma, Eric and Kristi Moffitt of Laurel Cove, and Matthew and Jenny Moffitt of Murfreesboro; four granddaughters and their husbands, Christy and Eric White of Oak Ridge, Betsy and Justin Shepherd of Trussville, Alabama, Leah and Shawn Anderson of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Holly and Clinton Blatter of Murfreesboro; nineteen great-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; and a nephew, James H. Simmons and wife, Mae, of Doyle, Tennessee. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to caregivers Linda Yates, Darlene Brown, Renette Smith, Jennifer McGee and Glenda Cox, and her hairdresser, Treva Pinegar. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, August 10, 2017 in High's Chapel with Bob McCoy and Eric White to officiate. Interment will follow in Long Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and 10:00 a.m. Thursday until the time of service at High's. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Hodges Cemetery in care of Teresa Sullivan, 945 Lemont-Yates Mountain Road, Spencer, Tennessee 38585. Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.