Gloria Ann Simmons, 82, passed away on October 31, 2018 in Sherman, Texas after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. The family will receive friends Friday, November 9 ^th from 6-8 pm at Waldo Funeral Home in Sherman. A celebration of life will be held at Western Heights Church of Christ on Saturday, November 10 ^th at 2 pm. Joe Furr and Ed Jones will officiate.

Gloria was born on November 27, 1935 in Gordonville, Texas to Marshall and Corine Russell. She graduated from Denison high school in 1954 where she was a majorette in the yellow jacket band winning a first place gold medal as a baton twirler. She was also one of 75 band members invited to participate in Dwight Eisenhower's inauguration parade in January 1953 marching down Pennsylvania Avenue representing the president's birthplace.

She met her husband while working at the Rialto Theatre in Denison, Texas. They married at the home of Gloria's sister Juanita Samford on July 3, 1954 in Denison, Texas. She spent her life making a Christian home for her four children and was a long time member of the Church of Christ.

During her life she was employed by Denison Federal Savings and Loan in Denison, TX; Raytheon in Bedford, MA; 20 years as a tax preparer for H&R Block and 24 years as a secretary at Western Heights Church of Christ.

To occupy her spare time she enjoyed singing with the Heart of Texoma Chorus and was a charter member of the Red River Valley Chapter of Sweet Adelines, International.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Dennis; Four children: Randy Simmons of Sherman; Karen Fulenchek and husband, Ronnie of McKinney, Texas; Pamela Simmons of the home and Larry Simmons of Sherman; eight grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters Juanita Samford and Linda Warren; one brother Nolan Russell and numerous extended family.

She was preceded in death by parents, Marshall and Corine Russell, Brother David Russell; Sisters Thelma Welch, Frances Hardeman and Betty Elliott.

Her final resting place will be Mount Tabor Cemetery in Sandusky-Grayson County, Texas.

The family request that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Western Heights Church of Christ in Sherman or to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 www.michaeljfox.org .