Joan Elizabeth Simmons

Joan Elizabeth Simmons passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2024, in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida at the age of 84. She was born on May 4, 1940 in Patterson, NJ, and grew up in Fairlawn, NJ, where she married her high school sweetheart, John and moved to Florida. She loved to dance, and even danced at Radio City Music Hall! She continued to share her love of dancing through performing with the Ft. Walton Beach Follies. Joan loved all animals, especially her dogs! She always said when she retired, she was going to "walk the pigs at the zoo." After retiring, she promptly became a docent at the Gulf Breeze Zoo. When she put her mind to something, she achieved it. Joan was the kind of person everyone loved! She was a spunky ball of energy! She loved her family and could never be told they weren't perfect, especially her sons! She never missed any special event for her children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren. Joan was a pioneer among women! She went back to college with three young boys at home. She began working as a lab technician at Fort Walton Beach Hospital. Joan became incredibly involved with the American Business Women's Association (ABWA) and was even named Woman of the Year. She was extremely passionate about her work and decided to continue her education. Upon completion of her master's degree, she became the director of West Florida Hospital and moved to Gulf Breeze, Florida with H.P. and the pugs. It was there she found her new church home, Gulf Breeze Community Life Church. She was beyond committed to the church in many capacities to include president of the southeastern division of the United Methodist Women. She was preceded in death by her son, Scott Alan Van Dyke of Ft. Walton Beach, her husbands, H.P. Simmons of Gulf Breeze and John Alan Van Dyke of Niceville, and her parents, Stephen "Scotty" Decker and Ethel Mae Decker of Ft. Walton Beach. Joan is survived by her sons, Trent (Marline) Van Dyke of St. Joe Beach and Mark Van Dyke of Ft. Walton Beach, daughter Marilou (Larry) Wilder of Suffolk, VA, grandchildren, Jennifer Van Dyke, Brandon (Lily) Wilder, Kevin (Ashlee) Van Dyke, Chandler Van Dyke, Chase Van Dyke, Fischer Van Dyke, Hayden Van Dyke, 7 great-grandchildren, her brother Paul (Jinnie) Decker of New Jersey, and 3 nephews. Visitation for family and friends will be at Emerald Coast Funeral Home on November 16, 2024, at 10:00 am, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am with interment immediately following at Beal Memorial Cemetery. Donations may be made to the ASPCA in honor of Joan Simmons.
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