Linda Sue (Edmonson) Simmons

Linda Sue Simmons 68, of Harrison AR., passed away on April 15th, 2023.  She was born in Harrison AR., July 29th, 1954, to Marion and Bertha (Creamer) Edmonson.    She is survived by her husband LeRoy Simmons Jr. of the home, and children:  Kim (Jim) Trammell, Kristi (Richie) Myers, Rick (Nickie) England, and Matt (Sarah) Simmons. 

The Story of Linda Simmons

Her life, by some, may be defined as a simple one, but it was hardly simple. It was extraordinarily simple. She lived a life that should define our lives.

Linda always wanted the best for all she knew. She never asked for anything from anyone but insisted on giving the best of herself to everyone. This was a passion of hers. A passion of which if you had the opportunity to see it, you would be truly blessed. Her purpose in life was her Family, which she devoted her whole life to.

You see, God has a plan for everyone and Gods’ plan for Linda’s life placed her into some special roles. It was in these roles that the Lord made her successful. Not only as a daughter, a sister, a Wife, a mother, but also as a grandmother and Great Grandmother. Linda took all these roles and made them unique in only the way that she could by placing her heart and soul into them.

As a child of God, being baptized in Bear Creek under the Swinging Bridge, she began to walk the path that the Lord lay before her. Never complaining but always completing.

The Lords path led her to being a wife to Leroy. They were married On Feb 18, 1978, and 2023 marked their 45th wedding Anniversary together. After meeting in September of 1977, they decided to marry. Gib Osborn married them on a snowy day in February. At the start of their marriage, they had four kids and $70 to their name. As they would refer to the time spent with all their kids as the “Good ol’ days” If you can imagine, four children and two newlyweds, in a one-bedroom kitchenette, followed by one of the worst winters possible, you can say the Lord definitely had to know what he was doing. With a lot of love for each other, hard work, and determination they made a wonderful life. They purchased a farm together in Harrison Arkansas and it was here they raised their family. Marriage was simply one of her greatest achievements. Life had handed her a soul mate and best friend who had cared for her continuously till the end. Their love for each other will be etched in our memories forever.

Now, without a doubt, we get to Linda’s most significant role and her sole purpose in life—Being a Mother.

The best parts of Linda will live on through her children. Each child has inherited a desired trait of hers. Kim was blessed with being a caregiver and entrusted as her best friend. Matt shared her ability to work hard and the determination to never let life defeat you. Kristi was given her open heart of always seeing the good in everything, and Rick received her sense of adventure that is always ready to greet the world with a joke and a smile. But Her passion to always make things work and knowing that it is the simple things in life that matters is a trait that has been passed down to all her family. Everything she did was done out of the truest sincerity possible, which in our eyes, made her perfect in the simplest of ways. Out of her perfection came her grandkids. For Linda, this was her time to shine with all her grace.

She babied them to no end with food and love, and all the while continually reminded each one how very special they were. How much she loved them was something to be admired as a thing of beauty. Her beauty reflected in all of them. They were her biggest accomplishment, and she didn’t care to tell you. By far, Stormey, Traig, Madison, Quintcey, Hattie, and Everlee had the best Nanny. Maesyn, Merrin, Kooper, and Hawk have gotten the pleasure of making her a great grandmother. With certainty, Her grand babies gave her joy when she needed it most.

Now is the time to reflect on her easiest role as a daughter to Sonny Edmonson and Bertha Creamer. On July 29th, 1954, she was born in the little town of Harrison. Linda, the third child of the Edmonson family, grew up in a loving home. Along with her older sister Donna, older brother Gary and younger sisters and brothers, Darlene, Connie, Sonny Alan and Scotty. Linda always had a heart of compassion which showed in her actions. She was a devoted daughter to both her parents and aided tremendously in their care. It’s through her caring we are reminded again that Family was the most important thing to her. She never earned a nursing degree but had all the qualities needed to be one. If you were sick, to put it simply, she was there.

Here’s a list of simple things that she enjoyed the most. There is nothing of value that you can buy, and they can only be found with time. Hours were spent hunting four leaf clovers or fishing at the creek. Days were past painting rocks with her kiddos while feeding the Golden Finches, then at the end of everyday Cooking and eating the food she made. All of this is how she spent most of her days. Astonishingly though what she loved most of all were clocks. Mantle clocks, coo-coo clocks, grandfather clocks, but why clocks?  It wasn’t until her final days that we understood—-time is what she treasured most. Time with her family. How she spent her time was how she measured her life.

Linda is the heart of our Family, Our word for Family. It is my hope that the miracle this story offers is that when you really stop and look, we can see how the Lord leads us in life. That simplicity. That clarity of focus. That devotion of God's purpose. When we look at the peace, joy, serenity, and grace shining through, you can see the beauty of God in our life. That complete trust in Our Father. Linda’s life is something too long for.  

A graveside service will be held Wednesday April 19th, 10 am at Bellfonte Cemetery with Kerry Liggett officiating. Pallbearers are Brock Humphrey, Traig Meyers, Quintcey Morton Zach Wheeler, Travis Jackson and Brett Edmonson.  Honorary Pallbearers are Drew Edmonson, James Trammell, Larry Edmonson, Dr. Kevin Jackson and Darin Jackson.  

Special Appreciation is extended to Kristi Hemphill and Legacy Hospice.  Our mother supported the Bellfonte Cemetery every year.  In lieu of flowers, Please send donations in her name to:  Bellfonte Cemetery -  c/o Jim Witty  28290 AR. Hiway 123 - Western Grove AR.  72685.