Mrs. Mary Bell Simmons, age 96, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2018 in St. George, SC.  Mrs. Simmons was born on August 26, 1922 in Henderson, North Carolina to the late John and Martha Carroll McKnight, she was the youngest of six children. She attended Vance County Public Schools.

From her first marriage she bore four sons.  She lived in Henderson, North Carolina, until the late 1950's when she moved to New York City. In New York she met and married Plent Simmons, Sr.

She worked at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City for over 25 years until her retirement. Upon retirement, she moved to St. George, SC with her husband Plent, son, Plent Jr. and beloved granddaughter Tracy.

Mary Bell truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures; chatting with friends, attending family gatherings, going to the Grits Festival, snacking, and spending time with family.  Most of all, she loved good music and she especially enjoyed the church choir.

Left to honor Mary Bell and remember her love are her five children: John Edward Davis (Jean) of Charlotte, NC, Carlton Ray Davis (Yvonne) of Jacksonville, Florida, Curtis Jerome Davis of Charlotte, NC, Plent Simmons, Jr. of St. George, SC and daughter, Regina Simmons of Lowell, Mass.; five grandchildren, Joanne Davis, Donna Davis Garcia (Carlos), Georgina Fiorentino, Shana Davis, Carlisa Davis, Sophia Davis, Curtis Davis, Jr., Adam Davis (Dominque), Alan Davis (Tynieshia), Natasha Stone and Tracy Simmons; great-grandchildren, Julius (Jules), Nadia, Gabriel, Lina, Adam Jr., Alan Jr.; great-great grandchild, Aidan; her cousins, Dedith Bethea, and Margret Carroll; brothers-in-law, Herbert, Leroy, Allen (Marie), Adolph, Joseph (Marie) and Willie E. J. Simmons; a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Mary Bell was preceded in death by her husband, Plent Simmons, Sr., her son, Otis "Butch" Davis (2018), her brothers, Melvin and John McKnight, and sisters, Bertha Mailion, Celcie Vickers and Essie Hatcher.