Addison Lee Simmons

SIMMONS KERNERSVILLE ~ Addison Lee Simmons May 9, 2007 July 22, 2011 Our sweet baby girl was made whole in the presence of the Lord at 6:29 a.m., Friday, July 22, 2011. Her life was a blessing from God for her family and a testimony for thousands of others. From birth until June 16, 2010, she was a vibrant child known for her hugs and her sharing. She enjoyed gymnastics and playing with her dog, "Shadow", in addition to shopping with Mommy, watching cousins May-May and Ja-Ja play ball and being spoiled by her Nana Dale, Nana Nancy, Papa "Junor" (Junior) and Papa Mike. Other favorite activities included reading with Aunt "Jujie" (Julie), taking pictures with Aunt "B" (Beth), "pantsing" Uncle "Teve" (Steve), going to the concession stand with Papa Jr, rubbing Uncle Keef's (Keith) head, getting manicures from Nana Nancy, driving Papa Mike's van, going to Bumper Jumper's with Nana Dale and playing hide and seek with Mom and Dad. Addison had numerous friends through her involvement in her Sunday School Class at Union Cross Baptist Church, participation at Salem Gymnastics and various actives within the community. Particularly close were Cameron and CiCi Casas, Zoe Ward, Christa Church and Katie Weavil. For the last 1 year, 1 month and six days of her precious life, she was an inspiration to those around her as she fought valiantly to rehab injuries she suffered as a result of cardiac arrest and a lack of oxygen and blood flow to her brain. Surviving Addison are her parents: Michael R. Simmons, Jr. and Amy Clodfelter Simmons, grandparents Junior and Nancy Clodfelter, grandparents Michael R. Simmons, Sr. and Fonda Dale Previtte Simmons, Aunt Beth Clodfelter, Aunt Julie Striplin, Uncle Keith Striplin, Uncle Steve Simmons, cousin Christian Simmons, cousins Mason and Jackson Striplin, "Auntie" Lisa Canada, great grandmother Ruth Simmons and great grandfather "PawPaw" Roger Canada. The family wishes to thank literally thousands of people in the Triad and around the world for their prayers, thoughts and efforts during Addison's battle. The efforts of Tiffany Gibson and Kernersville Family Practice, Roy Lewter and Gateway Pharmacy and Amanda Clarke, Jennifer Kitner, Cynthia Timmons, Lara Ring, and Jeanette Silver made fighting this horrific situation more manageable. We also would like to thank the staff of the 6th floor at Brenner Children's Hospital, including Jobe, Susan, Joyce, "little Amanda" and Karen that kept our sweet baby with us for the precious time we got to enjoy with her after her cardiac arrest and all of the physical therapists and medical staff (especially Drs. Nelson, Wunderlich, Lieberman and Dr. Ben and Dr. Justin) at Levine Children's Hospital. Also we want to say thanks to Jill Riggsbee and Jackson Striplin for their efforts to keep the "Pray for Addison" message alive via Facebook. In addition, we appreciated the fund-raising efforts of those around us including Phillip Watson, Bobbi and Pino DiMeo of Blue Naple's Pizza, Nathan and Katie Johnson, Glenn View Baptist Church, Parks Chevrolet, Katie Weavil, Michael Wayne Martin, III, Union Cross Moravian Church, Union Cross Volunteer Fire Department, Sedge Garden United Methodist Church, Don Juan's Mexican Restaurant, Clodbuster Farms, Little Cedar Grocery, Union Cross Elementary School, Skate World, the Glenn High School Booster Club, Grover Shugart and Shugart Enterprises, Bellsouth, Lighthouse Candle Factory, the "Nehemiah's Few" Ministry at Triad Baptist Church and thousands of others for their energy and support during this challenging time. Another special thanks goes out to Dr. H. Mark Ashworth and the congregation of Union Cross Baptist Church for holding us up when we didn't think there was any way we could go on living. "Dear my sweet baby love Addison, You are my sunshine, my only sunshine; you make me happy when skies are gray; you'll never know dear, how MUCH I love you, please DON'T take my sunshine away. My sweet baby, your precious little body was taken away from us on July 22, 2011 while you were working so hard in rehab. I miss you so much Addison. Your love for life and for people was unimaginable; oh, baby, you never met a stranger. Your love for, and our memories of, going to Target, McDonald's, drinking "orange", going to the park and church, playing with water hoses, playing with Cam-Cam and going to every baseball game of Mason and Jackson's and being their #1 fan will live on forever. Baby, you brought so much joy to my life and I am so proud to be your mommy. May you be up in heaven now doing gymnastics, checking your ebay and your email, eating pancakes, singing Justin Bieber and playing with your brother, Amos. I love you to the moon and back a million times." Mommy We love you Stinky Bean. Mom and Dad. Memorial Services for Addison will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 24, 2011 at Union Cross Baptist Church 4350 High Point Rd. Kernersville, NC. The family will great friends after the Service at the Church. Online condolences may be sent to the Simmons family at www.jcgreenandsons.com. J.C. Green and Sons Funeral Home (Wallburg Chapel) in charge of arrangements.


This obituary was originally published in the Winston-Salem Journal.