She was born on Jan. 5,1940 to Pat and Sally Prestwood, and grew up in Tyler, attending Tyler High School and Tyler Junior College, where she was a member of the Apache Bells. She graduated from the University of North Texas, was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and later earned her master’s degree from Southern Methodist University. Teaching Language Arts for 30 years in various schools in Texas and Mississippi, she shared her love of reading and the philosophy of hard work with countless young students.

In 1964, she married Tom Simmons, Jr. and shared life with him for 54 years until his death in 2018. The last 20 years of their lives in Smith County were spent on a ranch outside of Tyler, where they raised Beefmaster cattle. In 1999, she and Tom moved to Columbus, Texas, where Patty quickly became involved in various church and community events, including being a Board member for both Columbus Community Hospital and Nesbitt Memorial Library.

For several years, she and Tom were able to enjoy hunting wild game and exotic animals in West Texas and New Mexico, returning home to share stories with their family of those adventures.

Patty was a member of Glidden Baptist Church and loved working with her friends on the Kitchen Crew. Though her various interests kept her active, she would tell anyone that her greatest treasures were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Attending their school and athletic events were her “hobbies,” second only to sitting on a porch or in her living room, listening to their stories. She was a person of generosity, strong personal conviction and determination. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Patty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Tom, her sister, Sally Whitson and her son, Tom Simmons III. She is survived by her daughter Mary Mattingly and sonin- law Scott of Columbus, brother and sister-in-law Steve and Susan Prestwood of Minneapolis, daughterin- law Francine Simmons of Stockton, California; grand-children, including Sam Mattingly (Dixie), Kathryn Gray (Joel), Meg Mattingly (Will Shoaf), Jane Vasquez (Chris), Katie Rose and Danielle Rose; and 18 incredible great-grandchildren.

The family is grateful for the kindhearted caregivers and staff at Parkview Nursing in Weimar and Amedisys Hospice.

A graveside service for the family will be at Cathedral Pines in Tyler, Texas on February 19, 2026. There will be a Celebration of Life service held at First Baptist Church in Columbus, Texas on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 11:00 AM, with a fellowship time to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Colorado County Habitat for Humanity, 602 Walnut St., Columbus, Texas 78934, Texans on Mission (previous-ly Texas Baptist Men), 5351 Caltron Dr, Dallas, Texas 75227 or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome. com.