Simms, E. Edsel

E. Edsel Simms, 90, of Radford, 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 and her husband George 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 graduations and weddings while wearing his favorite pair of black shoes and yes, he will wear his black shoes on this trip.

The family will receive friends at Mullins Funeral Home, 120 West Main Street in Radford from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, August 7, 2006. A graveside service will be conducted at the Highland Memory Gardens at 5555 Lee Highway Dublin at 10 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. The Simms family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home in Radford, www.mullinsfuneralhome.com.