E. Edsel Simms

E. Edsel Simms, age 90, passed away on Friday August 4, 2006 in Chester, VA. Edsel was a long time resident of Radford, VA. He was born on Christmas eve 1915 in Endicott, VA. to Eula and Paul Simms. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Sylvia Shively Simms; and a brother, L. Earl Simms. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Corene Martin Simms of Radford; two sisters, Elva Cannaday of Salem and Betty Hayes of Gloucester Point; a daughter and son-in-law Judy and Jim Strawn of Chester; a daughter, Betty Jane Hagan of Chester; and a son, Richard (Buck) and daughter-in-law Martha Simms; all by his first wife; seven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Edsel grew up in Endicott, graduated from Ferrum Training School and attended Roanoke College. He retired from the Radford Arsenal (Hercules Powder Company) in April 1981 after 30 years. During many of these years he also maintained the Fairlawn Water Company. Edsel was an avid traveler who enjoyed recounting tales of trips to all 50 states with his Alaskan trip being the favorite. Throughout the years, he kept intact his record of attending all his children’s weddings and his grandchildren’s graduation and weddings while wearing his favorite pair of black shoes and, yes, he will wear his black shoes on this trip. Funeral services will be held in the Radford area of Virginia. The family will receive friends at Mullins Funeral Home, 120 First Street in Radford from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, August 7th. A graveside service will be conducted at the Highland Memory Garden at 5555 Lee Highway Dublin, VA at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 2006. Following the graveside services, the family will receive friends at the Grove United Methodist Church, 1020 Tyler Avenue in Radford. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Paul and Eula Rakes Simms Scholarship, Ferrum College, P.O. Box 1000, Ferrum VA 24088 in memory of E. Edsel Simms.