Funeral services for Dorothy Mae (Martin) Simmons, age 94 of Dubach, LA will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, July 20, 2026 at Mineral Springs Baptist Church, Visitation preceding at 9:00 AM with Bro. Barry Joyner officiating. Burial will follow in Mineral Springs Cemetery under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.
Dorothy was born May 15, 1932 in Dubach, LA to Ina “Bill”(Frasier) Martin and Jeffie Bert “Bud” Martin. The matriarch of our family, our loudest cheerleader, and our beloved prayer warrior passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2026 in her home of Dubach, LA surrounded by her family.
Born into a musically gifted family, she carried her love of music throughout her life. She often shared cherished stories with her grandchildren about how she and her siblings would gather together to sing. That same love of music was passed on to her children and became a lasting part of her family’s legacy.
Beyond her love of music, she was her family’s greatest cheerleader. From the sidelines of ballgames to the front row of weddings, she was our loudest and proudest supporter. She had a welcoming spirit. She loved on anyone she met, a love that embodied the presence of Jesus. If you ever entered her home, you quickly learned a house so small never felt so big. Pictures of her family cover the walls from the floor to the ceiling. If walls could talk, oh the stories they’d tell. No matter how many gathered around her little table, she made sure everyone left with a full stomach and a full heart.
As the family’s devoted prayer warrior, she faithfully covered her loved ones in prayer. When they had a need, there was never a question of who to call. Her treasured Bible, worn from decades of daily use, and filled with handwritten notes, highlighted verses, and personal reflections, stands as a beautiful testament of a lifetime of unwavering faith and a close walk with the Lord.
As we say goodbye, we are left with an image that truly reflects the beautiful message of the hymn she loved so dearly….
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
We rejoice in knowing she now walks with her eternal savior in His heavenly garden and by God’s grace we will all walk together again someday.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, JB Simmons; son, Tommy; and her siblings, Ethal Stone, Faye Rambin, and Lane Martin. She is survived by her brother, JB Martin (Sue); two sons, Kent Simmons (Judy) and Scott Simmons (Debbie); daughter-in-law, Terri Simmons; sister-in-law, Sharon Martin; grand-children: Jennifer (Daniel Collier), Latisha (Josh Farrar), Jamie (Callen Owens), Lacey (Jasen Cooper), Joseph Simmons (Shelby), Daniel Simmons (Kathrine), Jacob Simmons (Caty), Shelley (Mark Taylor), and Kenzie Simmons. She had 15 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of other family and friends that she adored.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jacob Simmons, Joseph Simmons, Daniel Simmons, Chase Collier, Mark Rambin and Gary Rambin. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Stone, George Stone, Randy Martin, Brad Martin, and Chris Martin.
The family would like to express their deepest appreciation for the excellent care provided by Premier Hospice of Arcadia. Their support and kindness will forever be remembered. Special thanks to Terri “Tee” Simmons for staying by Granny’s bed side the last several weeks.
