Sara Hunter Smith Simons

Sara Hunter Smith Simons, 93, of Tyler, TX went home to be with her Lord and Savior on January 11, 2024. She died peacefully at East Texas Hospice with her daughter and family by her side. A memorial service for Sara will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel at Marvin Methodist Church with Reverend Gerry Giles officiating. A private family burial will take place in Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. A lifelong resident of Tyler Sara was born on June 12, 1930, to Ray Augustus Smith and Lulu D Hunter Smith. She was a graduate of Tyler High School and attended Tyler Junior College where she was the lead Apache Belle the year the drill team was founded. Sara then attended Southern Methodist University where she developed lifelong friendships with many of her Kappa Kappa Gama sorority sisters. After graduating from Southern Methodist University, she married Watson Townes Simons on October 16, 1951, at Marvin United Methodist Church in Tyler. Throughout her life Sara was very involved in the Tyler community. She was the President of the Tyler Junior League, the fifth president of the Symphony League, a member of the Tyler Junior Garden Club and the Gertrude Windsor Garden Club, a member of the Quid Nunc Literary Society, and various other organizations. Sara’s Christian faith was always at the center of her life. She believed in the power of intercessory prayer and for many years was part of the Marvin Prayer Group. She also taught children in Sunday School encouraging them to learn scriptures. Sara was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Watson Townes Simons, Sr., her son, Watson Townes Simons, Jr., and her sister, Cynthia Smith Simons. She is survived by her loving family, daughter, Sally Simons Molinari and husband Stephen of Dallas; sister-in-law, JoAnn Simons; and many nieces and nephews. The family would also like to express their heartfelt gratitude to her caregivers, Imagale Roland, Clemmeka Starks, Marge Reeves, Shanta Butler, Sherria Gee, and others who cared for her over the last six years. If desired memorials can be made to Marvin Methodist Church, 300 W, Erwin St., Tyler, TX 75702, (https://marvin.church), or a charity of your choice.

Sara Hunter Smith Simons

June 12, 1930 - January 11, 2024