SIMMONS, Mildred (Micki) Mae

The Payson Roundup, Payson, Arizona, Friday, August 22, 2014 Mildred “Micki” Mae Simmons June 5, 1920 - August 1, 2014 Mildred, known by most as Micki, went to rest in the arms of Jesus on Aug. 1, 2014. Born June 5, 1920 to Byron and Margaret Dean in Rudd, Iowa, the family moved to Arizona in 1928. Micki graduated from Phoenix Union HS, where she met the love of her life, Francis Simmons who became a Phoenix fireman for 25 years. Micki was one of the original Phoenix Firebells, a Cub Scout den mother and a great mom. Later, after Fran retired from the fire dept. in 1962, they moved to Denver, Colo. and then San Francisco while working for CSE Insurance, finally settling in Pine, Ariz. in 1969 and then Payson in 1971 where they founded Simmons Insurance Agency. Micki was a member of Mount Cross Lutheran Church where she served as president of the altar guild, she was also a member of the Payson Elks Hopes. Micki was preceded in death by Fran in 1989; she is survived by her two children, Byron Simmons (and Kathy) of Alpine, Ariz., and Mardean Speck (and Steve) of Las Vegas Nev.; grandchildren, Jimmy Simmons (Sara), Kristen Simmons, Loraine Walters (Donnie), Shannon Galligan (Michael); great-grandchildren, Rachel Simmons, Gracie Walters, Nathan Walters and Quincy Rose Galligan. Two of Micki’s favorite things about Payson were, a view of Milk Ranch Point and eating pie at the Beeline. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday Sept. 6, 2014 at 10 a.m. at Mt. Cross Lutheran Church, 601 Highway 260, Payson, AZ 85541. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Rim Country Hospice Foundation, P. O. Box 305, Payson, AZ 85547 or Mt. Cross Lutheran Church.