Connie Diane Simmons

May 17, 1953 – August 27, 2026

Connie Diane Simmons, beloved mother, MiMi, sister, aunt, wife, nurse, and friend, passed into Heaven on August 27, 2026, in Flower Mound, Texas, following a courageous 2½-month battle with recurring pneumonia.

Born May 17, 1953, in Lubbock, Texas, Connie was the daughter of Roy “Dusty” and Wanda Rhodes. She spent much of her childhood traveling with her family as her father served 22 years in the United States Army, eventually settling in Argyle, Texas, in 1976.

Connie dedicated more than 40 years of her life to nursing. She spent over 20 years with Intracorp as a pre-authorization nurse, where she was known for her compassion, dedication, and determination to help others. Caring for people was simply part of who she was. Even when she wasn't “on duty,” Connie had a way of stepping in when someone needed help, and she touched and saved countless lives throughout her lifetime.

In 1994, Connie married Darryl, a man she had known for many years. They were best friends and soulmates, bringing out the very best in one another and were married on August 6, 1994. Darryl passed away on February 6, 2012.

After more than four decades of nursing, Connie retired her license in 2022 to become a full-time MiMi to her three grandchildren, Emerson, Lukas, and Everly Carter, who were the absolute loves of her life. She treasured every moment with them and was endlessly proud of them. Being their MiMi was one of the greatest joys of her life.

Connie lived life with curiosity, passion, and a love for people. She spent decades in the dog show world, where she loved every dog that came into her life and formed lasting friendships with people who shared her passion. She was also an avid cross-stitcher and traveled to retreats and gatherings throughout the years, building a wonderful community of friends; some of whom became lifelong friends. She loved the creativity, the travel, and the people she met along the way. She also enjoyed collecting Lee Middleton dolls, traveling, drinking coffee, discussing politics, and engaging in a good-natured debate.

Connie was a wonderful aunt, a loyal friend, and the kind of person who would offer help to someone in need even when she didn't have much herself. She loved deeply and gave generously, leaving an impact on countless people, animals, and lives.

Connie is survived by her daughter, Katey Carter, and son-in-law, Travis Carter, of Argyle, Texas; her grandchildren, Emerson Carter, Lukas Carter, and Everly Carter; her sister, Pamela Murray, and brother-in-law, William “Randy” Murray, of Meadow Bridge, West Virginia; her sister-in-law, Paulina Rhodes, of Justin, Texas; her sister-in-law, Sharon Simmons, of Dallas, Texas; her brother-in-law, Michael “Karl” Simmons, and sister-in-law, Crystal Simmons, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, her parents Roy “Dusty” and Wanda Rhodes, Mathew and Melissa Vermillion and Emily Murray of Meadow Bridge, WV; and many extended family members, those she considered her "adopted kids", and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Darryl Simmons, her brother, Gary Rhodes and her nephew William Scott Murray.

Connie will be remembered for her enormous heart, her fierce love for her family, her dedication to helping others, her love of animals and stitching, her adventurous spirit, her friendships, her sense of humor, and her willingness to always lend a hand.

Above all, she will be remembered as a mother who loved her daughter immensely, a loving wife who found her soulmate, and a MiMi who absolutely adored her three grandchildren.

Her love will remain in all of us who were lucky enough to know her.