Billie Gail Simmons was born March 7, 1942, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Edward Gail and Laurine Elizabeth (Gray) Wilkerson. She died Monday, February 1, 2016, in Collinsville, Oklahoma at the age of 73 years. Gail was reared and educated in Anoka, Minnesota, and was a graduate of Anoka High School. She was married June 8, 1962, in Rogers, Arkansas, to Don Simmons. She spent much of her working life as an administrative assistant starting with Clarke Darling Hardware, then many years with TV Guide. Though she and Don never had children, they were blessed in their life by Judy Lynn Harper, who was like a daughter for 23 years. Judy passed away in 2008, but her children, Jeffery Harper and Alicia Buckingham were like her own grandchildren. The have always called Don and Gail their grandma and grandpa and are loved very much. Gail loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Owasso when her health allowed. She enjoyed a variety of pastimes including raising and showing quarter horses. During this time she won several state and national titles. She was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. She also raised and showed dogs of the Australian Shepherd and Welch Corgi breeds. Gail would want you to know that she was a two time cancer survivor. Along with Don and her extended family, she leaves behind many cherished friends.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 3, 2016, at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso. Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 4, 2016, at the First Baptist Church in Owasso with Pastor Chris Wall officiating. Serving as casket bearers will be Jeff Harper, Alan Harper, Jim Dietrich, Kip Robinson, Tom Lingenfelter, and Melvin Spencer. Committal services and interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 13307 East 96th Street North, Owasso, Oklahoma. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
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