JEFFERSON – Candace Emily Byers Simmons, 40, entered into rest Sunday, May 2, 2016, at Emory Hospital in Atlanta.
Candace was a strong, independent, well-educated lady. She graduated from Perry High School in Perry, Ga. in 1993. She then attended Gainesville College. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia, master’s degree from Piedmont College, and specialist degree from Brenau University. Candace has spent all of her teaching career at Jefferson Middle School, except her first year at Commerce High School. Candace received many awards and recognition as an outstanding teacher. She was very proud to know that she was helping the students at JMS be bright, productive citizens.
Candace was preceded in death by her sister, Alison Lynn Byers; her maternal grandparents, Billy and Betty Jean Humphries; paternal grandparents, Sanford and Ruby Fay Smith Byers; and her father-in-law, Jerry Simmons.
Survivors include her loving husband, Jeremy Scott Simmons and her son, the love of her life, Quinton Ford Simmons, both of Jefferson. Her family includes a brother, Steven Byers, his son, Ian Byers, both of Jefferson, sister, Teresa Kirchner and husband, Matt Kirchner, and their son, Reed Kirchner, Kingsport, Tenn.; her parents, Glenn and Judy Byers of Unadilla, Ga.; her mother-in-law, Marie Taubel and husband Rob, Gillsville; sister-in-law, Kelley Lerma and husband Carlos, Gillsville; brothers in law, Barry Simmons and wife Tonya, Lula, and Craig Simmons and wife Margie, Maysville; the families special friend, Holly Tullis, Jefferson; uncles, aunts, and cousins on both sides of the family; and her co-workers, friends and neighbors too numerous to mention.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 7, from the Galilee Christian Church with the Rev. Delma Simmons officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. prior to the service. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 8, at her home church, County Line Baptist Church, 1115 County Line Road, Unadilla, Georgia. Candace will lie in state in the church from 1 to 2 p.m. with Brannen Nesmith Funeral Home of Unadilla in charge of arrangements.
The family would like to thank the staff at Athens Regional Hospital and Emory Hospital Neuroscience ICU Department for everything they did to try to save Candace from this outcome. We would also like to thank everyone for the prayers and support we have received.
Flowers are appreciated or donations to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation at www.bafound.org or the charity of your choice. Candace’s service was delayed because of her generous gift as an organ donor, which gives us encouragement that part of her spirit will help save others.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com