Hazel G. Simmons, 86, of Valdosta, formerly of Adel, died September 30, 2015 at Langdale Hospice House.

Funeral Services were held October 3, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at Boone Funeral Home Chapel in Adel with Rev. A.J. Hall and Rev. Jeff May officiating and eulogy by Carlos Byrd Simmons, Jr. A family graveside service was held in Woodlawn Cemetery in Adel immediately following the services. The family received friends Friday evening October 2, 2015 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Boone Funeral Home at 1804 S. Hutchinson Avenue. Daniel Rutland, Chad Simmons, Eric Taylor, Marc Taylor, Jerry Hayes and Jeffery Hayes served as pallbearers. Amber Bennett sang "Amazing Grace" and "The Old Rugged Cross" and Margie Blanton played piano at the service. Connie Owens sang "In the Garden" at the graveside.

Mrs. Simmons was born to the late Ivy and Eula Hall Graddy in Cecil, Georgia on March 22, 1929. She was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church of Valdosta and previously Gordon Avenue Baptist Church in Adel. She spent over 30 years working with the Cook County Department of Family and Children Services as a stenographer and caseworker. She transferred to Camilla and worked for the Mitchell County DFACS for three years and retired in 1991. She later moved to Valdosta and resided at Langdale Place for 15 years. During her retirement years she worked as a volunteer caseworker, and then later as permanent staff with LAMP. Mrs. Simmons devoted countless hours in the service of others as a caseworker and taught her children humility, compassion, and the value of community service through her contact with those less fortunate. As passed on from her parents and grandparents, she gave her family a solid foundation in Christian principles as a faithful and loving servant of God.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Simmons was preceded in death by her husband, Byrd Simmons, Sr. of Adel; and her sister, Patricia Merle Hayes Driskell of Adel.

Mrs. Simmons is survived by a son and daughter-in-law Carlos Byrd Simmons, Jr. and Cay Minor Simmons of Valdosta; two daughters, Cris Taylor and her husband Lt.Col. Jerry K. Taylor of Beaufort, South Carolina; and Connie Owens and her husband Col. John M. Owens of Oviedo, Florida and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and a very special loving and faithful friend of many years, Jack Corbett of Valdosta.

Six grandchildren, Eric Taylor of Beaufort, South Carolina, and Dr. Marcus K. Taylor of San Diego, California; Daniel Rutland and his wife, Heidi Glick Rutland of Longwood, Florida; Katie Rutland of Jacksonville, Florida; Chad Simmons and his wife Dr. Brandi Simmons of Port St. Lucie, Florida; Sara Simmons Anders and her husband Brad of Orlando, Florida; two step-grandsons Joshua M. Owens of Jacksonville, Florida, and Justin L. Owens of Tallahassee, Florida.

Four great grandchildren, Joshua and Olivia Taylor both of Beaufort, South Carolina; and Thomas and Jackson Rutland of Longwood, Florida.

Her favorite niece, Pamela Hayes Medley and her husband Barry; two nephews Jerry Hayes, and Jeffery Hayes and his wife Tammy, all of Adel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Langdale Hospice House, 2263 Pineview Drive, Valdosta, GA 31602 and Lowndes Associated Ministries for People (LAMP), 601 N. Lee St.; Valdosta, GA 31601.