Verda Mae Simmons Barnes

Verda Mae Simmons Barnes, 92, of Orange, Texas, passed away on October 24, 2019, in Orange.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at First Church of Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Gary Wheeler. Burial will follow at Autumn Oaks Memorial Park in Orange.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, October 28, 2019 at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Toomey, Louisiana, on February 27, 1927, she was the daughter of Amiel Wagner and Teresa Wagner. Verda was a homemaker who volunteered at the local schools and as a social worker. Verda was a founding member of First Church of Orange. She also attended Parkway Baptist Church in Bronson when she lived at St. Augustine Park. Verda loved going to church and would be there anytime the doors were open. She loved to sing; she found joy singing alto with Velma Morgan and Ruby Wagner. Verda had a lot of fun competing in and winning church contests. She enjoyed crocheting, playing dominoes, Chinese checkers, cards and solving word and jigsaw puzzles. Verda always baked the best sweets. She was a strong lady who loved her family immensely. Verda will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Amiel and Teresa Wagner; her husbands, Tommy Simmons and John J. Barnes; her daughter, Charlotte Jean Hamilton; her grandson, Chad Hamilton; her sisters, Eura Goss, Shirley Wagner, and Mildred Teal; and her brother, Ivan “Bubba” Wagner.

She is survived by her children, Rhae Jones of Marshall, Linda Kay Oswalt of Orange, Shelah Way and husband David of Port Arthur, and Johna Dale Trahan of Brookland; her 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers will be Trevor Jones, Travis Jones, Bryan Oswalt, Kevin Hamilton, Chris Houck, Alex Trahan, and Justin Cottrell. Honorary pallbearers are her nephew, Shirley Goss, and her friend and caregiver, Reno Brown.