Elwanda Jean (Green) Simmons

LUBBOCK—Elwanda Jean (Green) Simmons was born June 12, 1937, in Matador, Texas, to James (Jack) C. Green, Jr. and Decima Edna (Faulkner) Green. She passed away from the bonds of this earth on March 2, 2022, at Lubbock, Texas at the age of 84 years, 8 months, and 18 days. She was a member of the Wolfforth, Texas Church of Christ.

Elwanda grew up in Matador and was married to Gordon Simmons on February 3, 1953, in Portales, New Mexico. They spent time in St. Augustine, Florida, where Gordon served in the U.S. Navy. They later made their home in Jal, New Mexico, where Gordon was employed with El Paso Natural Gas Company. Jal became their home for some 25 years, and Elwanda worked at the local grocery store and Whitworth’s Hardware, and owned her own restaurant, The Milky Way Drive In, and her own arts and crafts business. They transferred to Midland, Texas, and lived there until retirement. After retirement they moved to various places, including Roswell and Ruidoso, New Mexico; Big Spring, Texas; Colorado City, Texas; Shallowater, Texas; Matador, Texas; and finally settling in Lubbock, Texas. Elwanda enjoyed spending time with her grandkids, various forms of arts and crafts including ceramics and painting and was also an avid reader.

Elwanda was preceded in death by her husband of 58 Years, Gordon, in 2011; her parents, Jack and Decima; and one sister, Christine Green.

She is survived by two brothers, Jim Green, and his wife, Donna, of Shallowater, Texas; Tom Green, and his wife, Julie, of Midland, Texas; two sons, Larry Simmons and his wife, Annette, of Yukon, Okla., and Gary Simmons and his wife, Lisa, of Whiteface, Texas; one granddaughter, Vanna Bookout, of Norman, Okla.; two grandsons, Greg Simmons of Elk City, Okla. and Hayden Simmons of Roswell, New Mexico; and three great grandsons, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were held at the East Mound Cemetery at Matador on March 4, 2020, at 2:00 p.m., under the direction of Zapata Funeral Home with Mike Crowley of the Matador Church of Christ officiating.