Carol Ann Simmons

 

Carol Ann Simmons (nee Alvira), 64, of Mary Esther, FL, passed away on December 9, 2023. She was born on March 11, 1959, in Chicago, Illinois, to Doris Loretta Alvira (nee Hartman) and the late Francisco Luis "Ray" Alvira.

 

Carol is survived by her loving husband, Ronald James Simmons, her devoted daughter and son-in-law, Niomi Tai Clifton (nee Granger) and Ryan Jeffrey Clifton, her cherished daughter, Autumn Annette Simmons, and her siblings: Jesse Alvira, Jerry Alvira, Pamela Alvira, Peggy Sue Alvira-Castle, Sandra Barton (nee Alvira), and Terry Davidson (nee Alvira) and brother-in-law Jim Davidson. She was preceded in death by her father, Francisco Luis “Ray” Alvira.

 

Carol's educational journey led her to Assumption High School in Assumption, Illinois, where she graduated in 1978. 

 

A true "Jill"-of-all-trades, Carol was not afraid of work and could do anything she put her mind to. She dreamed of becoming a gymnast, but alas, it was not in the cards... Instead, throughout her career, Carol held various roles, including EMT, certified nurse's aide, construction site clean-up crew, store clerk at Tom Thumb (quickly rising to management), Assistant Manager for Pizza Hut, and a paralegal. She dedicated herself to providing care and support to those in need.

 

However, none of these jobs could hold a flame to the most important position she held: Fierce and Dedicated Wife/Mother. She once squared off with an Air Force Chief Master Sergeant when her husband failed to return from a scheduled deployment due to a mix-up with the equipment manifest. She also went toe-to-toe with the Schoolboard Superintendent over her daughter being bullied on the bus. No one and nothing ever came between Carol and her family.

 

In her free time, Carol enjoyed riding the motorcycle with her husband Ronnie and taking trips in the truck. She also had a sweet tooth and loved indulging in ice cream. After being diagnosed with Frontal-lobe Alzheimer's Dementia in 2015, the doctors said to let her eat whatever she wanted. Towards the end, her family band together to plan a special road trip to the Creole Creamery in Mississippi just for ice cream! She had a blast on that adventure! What more could she ask for? A road trip, family, and ice cream!

 

A viewing for Carol will be held at Roselawn Funeral Home and Cemetery at 2942 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 on Saturday, December 16, 2023, from 3-5 pm. For more information, please visit their website at https://www.roselawn-fh.com/. Carol's wishes were to be cremated and the family plans to have a private tree planting ceremony in Illinois in the spring.

 

Carol Ann Simmons will be deeply missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing her. Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of her family and friends.