Delania “Louise” Stevens Simmons, 93, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2026, in the very home where she was born on April 15, 1933. To both enter and leave this life in the same home was a meaningful bookend to a life rooted in family, service, and faith. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00PM Saturday, August 22, 2026 in the Rose & Graham Funeral Home Chapel in Benson. The family will receive friends following the service. Officiating will be Rev. Michael Johnson.

Louise married Herbert Milton “Herb” Simmons on April 9, 1951, at Benson Baptist Church, with the ceremony officiated by Thermon Stone. They were married just six days before Louise’s 18th birthday and shared 75 years of marriage. When asked how long they had been married, Louise would always respond, “All my life.”

As an Air Force wife, Louise and her family lived in many places, including Savannah, Georgia; Taipei, Taiwan; downtown Benson, North Carolina; Bunker Hill, Indiana; and Fort Worth, Texas. In 1970, they returned to her homeplace on Highway 50 in Benson, where she spent the remainder of her life.

Louise is survived by her devoted husband, Herb, 97; her four children, Gary Simmons and wife Debbie of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Barry Simmons of Fayetteville, Susan Johnson of Benson, and Elaine Lee and husband Stenson of Benson; 10 grandchildren; and 6 greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Johnnie Simmons; three brothers and one sister; and her granddaughter, Michelle Johnson. Above all, Louise was a wife, a mother, and “Memom.” To her grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, and many others who loved her, she was simply Memom.

Louise worked at the Benson Post Office from 1977 until her retirement in 1995 and continued to substitute there until 2001. Long before that, one accomplishment she remained especially proud of was driving the school bus during her senior year of high school.

She lived to serve others, especially her family, and was known for saying, “My name is Louise, and I aim to please.”

Louise was intelligent, well educated, and passionate about proper spelling and grammar. She had an eye for the little things and was never afraid to correct your grammar, even if you didn’t ask for it. Louise loved to cook, and her kitchen was known for family favorites including fried chicken, chicken pastry, beef patties and rice, beef and peppers, chipped bacon and eggs, cheesecake, and, of course, her famous rum cake.

Louise leaves behind generations of memories and a legacy of love, faith, service, and devotion to family. No matter where life took her, home was always Benson. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Arrangements by Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson.