Reverend Lillian Elaine Simmons

June 18, 1928 - December 6, 2010

Reverend Lillian Elaine Simmons, 82 of Salem died Monday, December 6, 2010 at home after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born June 18, 1928 in Shinnston a daughter of the late Leo Glen and Helen Agnes Davis Fortney. On June 18, 1962 she married Reverend H.O. Simmons who preceded her in death on April 9, 1973. She is survived by a brother, Sidney Fortney, Terra Alta, sister-in-law, Juanita Fortney, Fairmont, three nieces, Shirley (Doug) Bucher, Reader, Sally (John) Purnell, Parsons, Anita(Tom) Nuzum, Fairmont, one niece-in-law, Sandy (Paul) Fortney, Reader, and several great nieces and nephews, along with her cat, Daisy Mae. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Franklin Paul and Jesse Glen Fortney and one nephew, Paul Raymond Fortney. As a child she attended the Wesley Chapel at Prospect Valley. At the beginning of her ministry she served the Willow Tree Baptist Church in the Fairmont Association. After her husband, a Baptist minister, retired, she became the pastor of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Salem, where she served for 25 years. She was a member of the Enon Baptist Church. She was the recipient of many awards, including the Ward W. Hibbs Ministerial Award for 1987 presented by Alderson Broaddus College. This award is given to a pastor who has outstanding contributions to the strengthening of this ministry and who is supportive of the full appropriate training for pastor skills. She also received the American Baptist Certificate of Continuing Education at the Alderson Broaddus College, was ordained into the ministry October 24, 1971, the first woman to be ordained by the Broad Run Association. She received her Minister’s License in Harrison County in 1975 and was a recipient of the Salem Business and Professional Women’s Club 1985 Salem Woman of the Year. Mrs. Simmons was dedicated to the ministry of God and to the churches she served and was influential in guiding several into the pastor ministry, fulfilling their calling to God. Funeral service will be held on Friday, December 10, 2010 at 1:00 PM in the Harbert Funeral Home, 287 W. Main St., Salem with Pastor John Hayes and Clinton Adams presiding. Interment will follow in the Wyatt I.O.O.F Cemetery, Wyatt. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel on Thursday December 9, 2010 from 2-8 PM and after 9AM on Friday until time of service. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to People’s Hospice P. O. Box 1170 Bridgeport, WV 26330. On line condolences may be offered to the family at www.harbertfuneralhome.com. Harbert Funeral Home is privileged to serve the Simmons family.