Ruth Delores Simmons, age 96, of Indian Head, Maryland

On Tuesday, May 28, 2024, Ruth Delores (Milstead) Simmons peacefully transitioned to her heavenly home from her earthly home in Chicamuxen, Maryland. Ruth was born on September 18, 1927 – the seventh of nine children born to Irving and Maud Milstead.

Ruth was educated in the Charles County public school system where, from 1933 to 1940 she attended Chicamuxen Elementary School and went on to graduate from Pomonkey High School in 1945.  Shortly after graduating, she met Joseph Oliver Simmons, whom she later married and raised five children: Patricia, Maureen, Carolyn, Kevin and Rita.  In 1951, she secured employment with the Naval Propellant Plant where she worked until 1962.  In 1966, she went to work as a Psychiatric Nursing Assistant at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, DC until her retirement in 1983.  After retirement, she did private duty nursing for the Charles County Department of Social Services.

Ruth's devotion extended beyond her family to her community and her faith. She was an active member of Alexandria Chapel United Methodist Church, serving in various roles as Communion Steward, Church Secretary, Council Chair, Head Usher, and for many years even the church custodian. Her dedication was recognized in March 2020 during National Women's History Month, when she was honored with a program dedicated to her.  For the past decade she has held the esteemed title of "Mother of the Church", a testament to her unwavering service and faith.

After her retirement, she joined the Protective Benevolent Order of the Elks, Lodge 651 in Pomonkey, Maryland where she held several positions. She was also a long-standing member of the African American Heritage Society and a dedicated member of the Pomonkey High School Alumni Association, showing her commitment to preserving her community's history and values.

Early on, Ruth's favorite pastimes were fishing and gardening, but in her later years she enjoyed working on her word search puzzles, bird watching from her favorite chair on the front porch and feeding the squirrels and other wildlife.  She was also a passionate Scrabble player and relished in beating her four daughters at the game. Ruth was also a gifted poet and penned many original pieces.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph, her eight siblings, her grandson, Devin and her great granddaughter Sofia Rose.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Patricia (Chester), Maureen (Martin), Carolyn, Kevin, and Rita (Samuel); five grandchildren, Brent (Carolyn), Carmen, Damien (Lynna), Erin, Brandon (Donita), Brandy, Leilani and Derrick (Tawanda); 14 great-grandchildren, Alexis, Brianna, Shanya, Erin, Gavin, Sydney, Austin, Robert, Camdyn, Ryenn, Sage, Seth, Shae & Devon; 2 great-great grandsons, Brelyn and Skylar; sister-in-law, Donza Milstead; very special nieces, Vivian Dorsey, Rhonda Taylor and Jennifer Dorsey; a special nephew, Alfred Milstead; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Her Viewing will be, 10:00 am, until time of Service, 11:00 am, Friday, June 7, 2024 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640.  Interment, Alexandria United Methodist Church Cemetery, 5605 Chicamuxen Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640.

On Friday, June 7th at 11:00 am, please click on the link below to live stream the service.

Please make sure when viewing the services that the volume located in the right lower corner (where it says "live") on the viewing screen is turned up (the bars should be blue).

The streaming will begin after the final family viewing.  Therefore, there may be a delay before the service appears on the screen. Thank you.

https://www.thorntonfuneralhomepa.com/live-stream