Ira Lena (Martin) Simmons

Ira Lena Simmons, age 97, of Sweetwater, Texas, went to be with her Lord and Savior on  Sunday, July 3, 2011.

Graveside services will be held 11:00 A.M., Thursday, July 7, 2011 at East Hill Cemetery in Fort Stockton, Texas with Rev. James Bishop officiating.   Arrangements are under the direction of Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home.

Ira was born in Bullard, Texas on September 9, l913 to Ira Martin and Selena Dixon Martin.  She married Robert Franklin Simmons on July 14, 1931.  In 1944, both Ira and Rob graduated from Bible Baptist Institute in Fort Worth, Texas.  Together they preached,  taught the word of God, and won many souls to the Lord through their ministries.  They also spent five years in the mission field traveling to South Korea and Mexico, before returning to Texas in 1979 where they continued to teach God's word.  Mrs. Simmons had been a resident of Nolan Nursing and Rehab in Sweetwater, Texas for the last 5 l/2 years.  She touched the lives of all who knew her and grew to love her.  She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Odessa, Texas.

"Mrs. Simmons", as she was known to all who loved her,  is survived by her  daughter, Barbara Pogue of Monahans;; four grandsons, James Pogue and wife Sheila of Monahans;Rob Pogue of Rockwall; Randy Pogue of Odessa, TX; and Paul Pogue and wife Kathy of Sweetwater; one granddaughter, Pam Austin and husband Mark  of Stanton; seven great grandchildren; seven great great grandchildren; two brothers,  Winston Martin, and  Herschel Martin, both of Lubbock, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Selena Martin; her loving  husband,  R.F. Simmons; two sisters, Geneva Martin and Kyle Elizabeth Martin, and two brothers, John Archie Martin and Gary Martin.

Memorials may be sent to Hendrick Hospice, 1682 Hickory, Abilene, Texas 79601.