Verna Lucetta Simms, 97, of Festus died Sept. 17, 2018, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mrs. Simms was an assistant librarian at the Festus Public Library, a published author of a novel called “Water Under the Bridge” and a freelance writer for the Jefferson County Leader. She also was a member of Twin City Church of Christ in Festus. She loved to travel, swim, sew and paint.
Born April 26, 1921, in Prescott, Ariz., she was the daughter of the late Walter and Cora (Pirtle) Hill. She also was preceded in death by her husband: Howard Norval Simms.
She is survived by two daughters: Dolores Williams of Festus and Jeannette Simms of Festus; two sisters: Jennie Cobb of Illinois and Liz Bruce of Illinois; one brother: Robert Hill of Farmington; four grandchildren: Larry Williams of Portland, Ore., Mark Williams of Wentzville, Deborah Adams of Festus and Cristina Sevick of Festus; five great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
She also was preceded in death by four siblings: Orville Hill, Earl Hill, Lewis Hill and Irene Sadler.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens cemetery, 1101 Missouri Ave., in Crystal City, officiated by Patrick Adam. Arrangements are under the direction of Mahn Twin City Chapel.