Bartumn Simmons, "Bea" to family and friends, and a Denton resident of 45 years, passed away on May 9, 2014. Bea was born in Lake Providence, Louisiana, on November 1, 1927 to parents Lucy Ann Ritter and James Marshall. She married Moses Alfred Simmons on October 21, 1957.

Bea loved food and cooking and took delight in other's enjoyment of her food. She was particularly proud of her vegetable soup and her cream cheese pound cake.

Bea is survived by her son, Karl Michael Simmons of Tulsa, Oklahoma; daughter, Sharon Kay Simmons of Dallas, Texas; 3 granddaughters - Regan Lea Simmons, Kelly Nicole Simmons, and Maya Dawn Simmons; 1 grandson - Myles Everett Simmons; and 2 great grandchildren - Selena Kay Simmons and Elijah Keith Simmons. She is preceded in death by her husband, Moses Alfred Simmons, and by her son, Darryl Keith Simmons.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2014 from 6 pm – 8:30 pm at DeBerry Funeral Directors. In honor of Bea and her love of food and cooking, the family will celebrate her life with a potluck luncheon on Friday, May 16, 2014 at 11:30 am in the fellowship hall of Highland Baptist Church. Friends are invited to attend and bring a side dish and a story about Bea. A graveside burial service will be held on Friday, May 16, 2014, at 2:30 pm at Roselawn Memorial Park.