Mary Simms

Mary Simms, 78, of Shell Knob, Missouri, passed away December 11, 2025 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was born in Evening Shade, Arkansas on April 24, 1947 to Mae Watts (Fleming) and Alfred Hoffmann. Mary enjoyed all things outdoors, especially her flowers and fishing. She also enjoyed bowling and loved having her family around her. She had worked in an ice cream plant and as manager of a convenience store.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her first and second husbands, Eulas Olden Medlock and John Jerry Simms; "a special mom", Eletta Medlock; a great-granddaughter, Emily Watts; and five siblings: Danny Fleming, Betty Fleming, Eddie Medlock, Delbert Medlock, and Kay Medlock (Simms). 

Survivors include her children: Bill Joe Watts & Brenda Watts, Kenny Sims & Kay Simms, and Janice Bradley (Medlock) & Billy Bradley; seven grandsons: Mike & Alexis Watts, CJ Watts & Amanda Renford, Cory Bradley, Zack & Cheyenne Bradley, Dustin Simms, Kyle & Kelcie Simms, Eric & Tiffany Simms; eighteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; eleven siblings: Johnnie Cagle, David Fleming, Eugene Fleming, Homer Fleming, L F Medlock, Carolyn Conley, Lois Marie Dowdy, Diane Collins, Judy Rutledge, Bernice Brown, and Joyce Howard; many other relatives and good friends.

Visitation will be in the chapel of Tri-County Funeral Home at Highland on Tuesday, December 16. 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The funeral will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Tri-County with Lynn Dowdy officiating.  Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. 

Pallbearers will include Darlene Benton, Steve Richmond, Jessica Medlock, Joe Giles, Emmanuel Dowdy, and Chris Collins. Honorary Pallbearers are Nathan Medlock, Lynn Medlock, and Donald Joe Ellison.