Nelda Christian Simmons

Nelda Christian Simmons, 89, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2014 in Houston. She was born January 20, 1925, in LaRue, Henderson County, Texas, to John Earl and Sarah Butler Reynolds. Her family moved to Dallas at an early age, where she attended school and graduated from Forest Avenue High School. After the war, she married Wayne Christian,and his work took them to Abilene, where they raised their children and made lifetime friends. In 1973, they made their final move to Houston. Upon her husband's untimely death in 1976, Nelda, a 52 year old widow, became a career woman in the home office of Daniel Industries. In 1989, she married Alan Beavers, and they spent fourteen years together, traveling and enjoying life until his death in 2003. Subsequently, she married Gene Simmons, and they enjoyed brief but happy times until his death in 2004.

Nelda was always the room mother, the committee chairman, the welcome wagon, the center of the action, and totally involved in her children and their lives. When she left every stop on her journey, she took strong, long-lasting friendships with her that remained important to her until death. She was active in the activities of the Hallmark Retirement Community, her home for the past ten years, serving as president of the residents association, and making friends with everyone that moved in.

Nelda is survived by her son Wayne Christian and favorite daughter-in-law Terri of Graham, her daughter Pam Dyer of Dallas, sister Joyce and Bob Gary of Dallas, brother Ralph and Marion Reynolds of Waxahachie, grandchildren Jeff, Matt, and Andrew Dyer, all of Dallas, Annie Christian Kerr and husband Spencer of Houston, Joe Christian and wife Ashby of Austin, and Sarah Christian of Houston, as well as three great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Hallmark Community Room, 4718 San Felipe, Houston, with John Wurster of St. Phillip Presbyterian Church presiding. A reception in her honor will be held following the service.