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AHOSKIE, NC – Jessie Helen Welborn Simons of Ahoskie passed away on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at the Fountains of the Albemarle in Tarboro, NC. Her family will remember her as a loving Wife, Mother, Granny and Great-Granny.

Jessie was born on May 9, 1934 in Lamar County, Texas. She was the 4th daughter of the late John and Hattie Davis Welborn. The family moved from Lamar County to Fort Worth, Texas at the start of World War II and Fort Worth became the family’s home.

She married her high school sweetheart, John (Dave) David Simons, Jr., on May 29, 1954. They were married for 62 years, until his death on March 25, 2017. In 1955, Dave was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army. The family moved numerous times to many wonderful places, both stateside and abroad. She was a devoted military wife for 27 years. Upon Dave’s retirement in 1982, they made their home in Ahoskie, NC.

Jessie was a member of Ahoskie First Baptist Church for 37 years and a member of the Edith Freeman Class. She loved her Edith Freeman ladies and admired them all so much.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John (Dave) David Simons, Jr. and their infant daughter, Nancy Ruth Simons. Also, preceded her in death are her parents John and Hattie Welborn; her brothers, John Welborn and Lewis Welborn; and sisters, Mae Lay and Nancy Quesenbery.

She is survived by her son, John David Simons, Ill (Gretchen) of Murfreesboro, NC; her daughter, Joan Simons Hirsekorn of Newport News, VA; four grandchildren, John David Simons, IV (Kelley) of Raleigh, NC, Sarah Simons Josey (Logan) of Scotland Neck, NC, Katherine (Katie) Hirsekorn of Alexandria, VA, and Emma Valentine Hirsekorn of Richmond, VA. She had five great grandchildren who she adored, Elizabeth (Liza) Stuart Simons, John (Jack) David Simons,V, of Raleigh, NC, Charles (Charlie) Kitchin Josey, John Everette Josey and Vivian Frances Josey of Scotland Neck, NC, plus numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the nurses and staff at The Fountains of the Albemarle, Tarboro, NC for their compassion and care they provided Jessie and the family during this time.

A graveside service will be held at Hampton National Cemetery in Hampton, VA on a date and time to be determined.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in her memory to your charity of choice, or to the First Baptist Church of Ahoskie, NC – Capital Campaign: P.O. Box 649, Ahoskie NC. 27910 or online by visiting tmcfunding.com/ search fund, type- Jessie Simons.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Simons family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.