Louise P. Simmons, age 95, died on August 20 at Saint Luke's South Hospital. Louise was born April 8, 1922 in Kingsport, Tennessee, and was the older of two children.

She spent most of her childhood in Martin, Tennessee, and later graduated with a BS degree in Nursing from the University of Tennessee in Memphis, Tennessee. While in school, she was a Cadet Nurse during World War II. She was an American Airlines stewardess and later flew for Pan American World Airlines.

After five and a half years as a stewardess, she returned to school and became a Certified Nurse Anesthetist. She worked at Baptist Hospital in Memphis and later for the VA Hospital in Memphis, retiring when she was 71 years old.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Duke Priestley; her brother, Dr. Joseph O. Priestley; and her husband, David Winton Simmons. She is survived by a daughter, Dr. Susan Elizabeth Opper; two grandchildren, Jade Planchon and Sierra Opper; and two great grandchildren, John and Henry Planchon.

Louise believed strongly and often said, "That if you give to the world the best you have, the best will come back to you." She also felt strongly that, "You should always look as if someone will remember you that way forever." As one of her best friends said, "She was always dressed to the nines as if she was coming out of a band box!" She was a true Southern lady with a fierce strength and always knew what she wanted.  She cared deeply for all those that surrounded her and shared her wisdom and life experiences with many. Louise lived her life to the fullest and served as an inspiration to those who knew her.

She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Kiwis Organization for retired American Airlines stewardesses. She especially loved "Magical" Memphis and her retirement community at Santa Marta.

Memorial Services

Memorial services will be held at Santa Marta Senior Living Community, with Pastor Jenny McDevitt presiding, on September 2 at 10 am, with a lunch buffet and reception to follow.  A graveside service will be held in Martin, Tennessee, at East Side Cemetery on Sept. 23 at 2 pm, presided by Reverend Randy Cooper.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, condolences may be sent to Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas, First United Methodist Church in Martin, Tennessee, the Quakers of San Francisco, California, and Shawnee United Methodist Church in Shawnee, Kansas.