Shawnee resident Cora Ann Wilson Simmons died Thursday in Shawnee at the age of 89.

She was born July 10, 1908, in Jenny Lind, Arkansas, to William L. and Maud Mae Smith Wilson.

She attended Bible Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, graduating through the Sunday school department.

She married Jesse F. Simmons on June 5, 1928, in Los Angeles, California. She lived in California prior to moving to Oklahoma in 1960.

Mrs. Simmons was a private nurse. During World War II, she worked in aircraft plants in California.

She was a member of the Pioneer Baptist Church. She was a member of the RSVP, the AARP, and a life member of the DAV No. 54 and of the World War I Auxiliary No. 2526.

While living in California, she was a foster parent. She taught Sunday school classes for children and adults.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Jesse Franklin "Buddy" and Priscilla Piercie Simmons of Odessa, Texas; two sisters, Dora Mae Russell of Austin, Texas and Maud L. Mullins of Panama City, Florida; twin grandsons, Lynn Dale and Lyle Gale Simmons of Tulsa; four great-grandsons, two great-granddaughters and one great-great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse F. Simmons, in December of 1982; her parents, seven brothers and one sister.

Memorials may be made to the Pioneer Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Charles Bascue, 428 N. Chapman, Shawnee, Oklahoma 74801.

Services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at Pioneer Baptist Church in Shawnee with Bro. Charles Bascue, Bro. Leroy Rice, Bro. Bob Hudson and Bro. Richard Gay officiating.

Burial will be at Highland Cemetery in Tecumseh under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home in Tecumseh.

Published September 27, 1997.