Obituary for Nancy Simmons (Ringstaff)
Nancy Ringstaff Simmons, 91, formerly of Richlands, VA, went to be
with the Lord peacefully surrounded by her family in Roanoke, VA.
She was the last surviving child of ten children born to Henry and Myrtle
Griffith Ringstaff of Pounding Mill, VA.
Nancy was a permanent fixture in the back row at the First Christian
Church in Richlands, VA for over 60 years. She was an exceptional cook
who loved to host huge Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve celebrations
for her family. Most celebrations featured her World-Famous Angel
Biscuits. Her adored bedroom vanity provided many generations of
“Simmons Girls” with a sense of comfort and home. Nancy retired from the Tazewell County School Board where she worked at Raven Elementary School as a beloved teacher’s aide in special education. She was an avid, diehard fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and never missed a tennis match featuring Rafael Nadal.
She was preceded in death by her previous husband, and father of her
children, Joe Casey Simmons, and her beloved daughter Karen Leigh
Fannin.
She is survived by her daughters, Rhonda Jo Jarrett (Bob), Donna Sue
VanMeter (Dan), and Kimberly Ann Reich (John); son-in-law Omer
Fannin; four grandsons, Casey Coleman (Leslie Anne), Luke Fannin
(Rebecca), Logan Fitzgerald (Karla) and Andy Gooliak (Marguerite); one
precious granddaughter, Amy O’Keeffe and her husband Michael, who
lavished her with love and tenderness, and the occasional blonde
brownie, during the over ten years that she lived near them in High
Point, NC. Also left to honor her memory are seven great grandchildren
whom she cherished, Margaret Casey O’Keeffe, Carlee Anne Coleman,
Carter Cash Coleman, Oliver Thomas Richard Fitzgerald, Aurora Ann
Fitzgerald, Maya Cathleen Gooliak, and Marianna Casella Gooliak; as
well as many extended family and friends who shared time and
memories with her in Lake Park especially her niece Lynne Brown and
nephew Dusty Ballard.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a celebration of her life will be held in
Richlands VA at a later date.
The family would like to thank the amazing ladies of Snyder Nursing
Home in Salem VA, along with the director, Keith Denson, for their loving
and attentive care. She lived her final days happy and content.
with the Lord peacefully surrounded by her family in Roanoke, VA.
She was the last surviving child of ten children born to Henry and Myrtle
Griffith Ringstaff of Pounding Mill, VA.
Nancy was a permanent fixture in the back row at the First Christian
Church in Richlands, VA for over 60 years. She was an exceptional cook
who loved to host huge Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve celebrations
for her family. Most celebrations featured her World-Famous Angel
Biscuits. Her adored bedroom vanity provided many generations of
“Simmons Girls” with a sense of comfort and home. Nancy retired from the Tazewell County School Board where she worked at Raven Elementary School as a beloved teacher’s aide in special education. She was an avid, diehard fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and never missed a tennis match featuring Rafael Nadal.
She was preceded in death by her previous husband, and father of her
children, Joe Casey Simmons, and her beloved daughter Karen Leigh
Fannin.
She is survived by her daughters, Rhonda Jo Jarrett (Bob), Donna Sue
VanMeter (Dan), and Kimberly Ann Reich (John); son-in-law Omer
Fannin; four grandsons, Casey Coleman (Leslie Anne), Luke Fannin
(Rebecca), Logan Fitzgerald (Karla) and Andy Gooliak (Marguerite); one
precious granddaughter, Amy O’Keeffe and her husband Michael, who
lavished her with love and tenderness, and the occasional blonde
brownie, during the over ten years that she lived near them in High
Point, NC. Also left to honor her memory are seven great grandchildren
whom she cherished, Margaret Casey O’Keeffe, Carlee Anne Coleman,
Carter Cash Coleman, Oliver Thomas Richard Fitzgerald, Aurora Ann
Fitzgerald, Maya Cathleen Gooliak, and Marianna Casella Gooliak; as
well as many extended family and friends who shared time and
memories with her in Lake Park especially her niece Lynne Brown and
nephew Dusty Ballard.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a celebration of her life will be held in
Richlands VA at a later date.
The family would like to thank the amazing ladies of Snyder Nursing
Home in Salem VA, along with the director, Keith Denson, for their loving
and attentive care. She lived her final days happy and content.