Doris Elizabeth Cotton Simmons

POLKTON – Doris Elizabeth Cotton Simmons, 87, of the Burnsville Community of Anson County, North Carolina, a retired teacher in Liberty, NY and Peachland-Polkton, NC passed away quietly in her sleep on Tuesday October 5, 2021 at Anson Health and Rehabilitation in Wadesboro, NC.

A daughter of the late Clifford and Elizabeth Devine Cotton, she was born on December 12, 1933 in Newark, NJ. The family moved to Livingston Manor, NY where she graduated in 1952. She met her husband of 68 years; Charles Albert Simmons and they were married in May 1953. She then stayed home to raise her children and later returned to Oneonta State College in NY to receive her degree in teaching.

She was predeceased by her husband, Charlie, her brother, Arthur (Nell) Shuldt and sister, Emily (Sam) Keller.

She is survived by her brother, Raymond (Madelyn) Cotton of Livingston Manor, NY. Also surviving are her two daughters, Kathy Welch and Laura (Wally) Lotz; her three sons, Richard (Marion) Simmons, Terry (Kathy) Simmons and Tim Simmons; her ten grandchildren, Teresa (David) Mercer, Jamie Welch, John (Stephanie) Cortes, Christy (Max) Rouse, Michael (Wendy) Simmons, Nicole (Shawn) Hairston, Jessie Simmons, Amy (Chris) Dingevan, Jennifer (Jaye) Middleton, and Steven Lotz; her seventeen great-grandchildren, Alex Welch, Andrew Taylor, Kaitlin Carpenter, Roger Carpenter, Delilah Cortes, Brandon Barrett, Rowan Simmons, Madison Hairston, Hunter Hairston, Mason Hairston, Hannah Hairston, Mariah Dingevan, Marquise Middleton, Izzy Middleton; her four great-great-grandchildren, Spencer Barrett, Taylor Barrett, Derrick Spaniel and Connor Spaniel and many nieces and nephews and their families.

After retiring from teaching in Liberty, NY, she and her husband retired to North Carolina. She again started teaching at Southview Academy and later at Peachland-Polkton School. Doris’ passion was education for young children. She genuinely loved teaching and all of her students, speaking of them often. She then retired again to spend time with her grandchildren.

Doris was a member of Hopewell United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women, with whom she loved to travel the country with, serve meals to shut-ins and participate in many other church related activities. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hopewell United Methodist Church, c/o Susie McSwain, 424 Pork Rd., Peachland, NC 28133.

There will be a memorial service at Hopewell United Methodist Church with Rev. Patrick Ledford officiating on Monday, October 18, 2021 at 3:00pm. The family will greet friends following the service.

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com