Shirley Sue Simmerman

Dearest World, Friday, December 22, 2023, we lost the most amazing person and caring Mimi that ever walked the Earth. She was born in Denver, Colorado on April 17, 1956 and left this mortal world all too soon at the age of 65.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jerry Ray Simmons and Betty Lucile Simmons and her brother, Ricky Ray Simmons.

Shirl was a loving military wife to her husband of 47 years, Kevin Simmerman, and they loved to spend time riding on the Harley and enjoyed going to Ole’ Miss games. Shirl was a loving, caring, and selfless mother to her three children, Jayson Simmerman and his wife Bethany Simmerman; Michael Simmerman and his wife Krissy Simmerman and Tiffany Simmerman-Smith and her husband Shawn Smith. Her two surviving siblings are her sisters Pamela Jean Simmons-Totsch and Patsy Elaine Simmons-Wheeler.

She was a doting Mimi that gave every ounce of her love to her grandchildren, Audrey Simmerman (Fat Frog), Isabelle Hutchison (Pooh), Elgin Smith (Monkey), Layni Simmerman (Layni Bugs), Orion Smith (O-O), and Poppy Simmerman (Grandpa).  She loved to take them on spontaneous adventures, whether it be to go ride the roller coasters at amusement parks (which she would ride with them), last minute trips to the zoo or aquarium, and go see all the Christmas lights at Christmas time in the convertible with 20 blankets and hot cocoa in tow. Her grandchildren always knew her to be fun loving, carefree and creative and when driving with the grandbabies (no matter how old they got) she would swerve to miss the tiny elephants in the road and sea turtles (Orion).

Mimi loved spending time with her family by having crawfish boils. She had a kind heart that always yearned to travel and when she did, she would add to her collection of traveling socks. Her favorite drink of choice was Dr. Pepper, which you would never see her without.  She was dedicated to every aspect of her life, especially displayed through her 27 years at Walmart, to which her kindness would pour over to her customers in need.  She would always give to her elderly customers that didn’t have the means to purchase all their necessary items, even though she knew if would get her fired.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Bradford- O'Keefe Funeral Home on 15452 O’Neal Road Gulfport, MS 39503. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. for the public with services to follow at 2:00 p.m. Though this is the most devastating loss, we shall meet again, and as Mimi always said, “I’m glad you got to see me.”

Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, O’Neal Road, Gulfport, is honored to serve the Simmerman family.