Obituary of Renate Paula Gertrude Simmons

Funeral services for Renate Paula Gertrude “Oma” Simmons, age 81, of Roanoke will be held on Sunday, April 18, 2021, at 2:00 PM at Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with Bro. Richie Farrow and Bro. Tyler Worthy officiating.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:00-2:00 PM before services begin on Sunday.

Mrs. Simmons passed away Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at her residence.

Survivors include: three daughters, Doris Keber (Albert) of Soltau, Germany, Marita Bauer (Peter) of Argenschwang, Germany, and Manuela Hester (Ronnie) of Wadley, AL; two sons, Joachim Erbach (Anja) of Argenschwang, Germany, and Frank Simmons of Roanoke; 14 grandchildren, Marc Keber, Andy Keber, Laura Erbach, Maik Erbach, Nina Hochhaus (Steffen), Jens Bauer, Jonas Bauer, Regina Smith (Brian), Kristi Harrison (Patrick), Daniel Losh, Bethany Smith (Derek), Monica Walker (Jason), Breanna Hester (Greg Cochran), and Brandon Hester; 20 great-grandchildren, Fabienne, Louis, Noah, Johannes, Paul, Greta, Logan, Wyatt, Kaite, Hayes, Danica, RoxyAnna, Dalton, Grayson, Dylan, Zane, Ansley, Christopher, Natalie, and Yvonne; four sisters, Marianne Baumgärtner, Lieselotte Dietz, Christa Menrath, and Gabriele Reinke,; and two brothers, Norbert Kuptz and Michael Reinke.

A Germany native, Mrs. Simmons was born on March 24, 1940, the daughter of Siegfried and Lieselotte Reinke Kuptz.  She moved to Petersburg, Virginia, in 1972 and then to Alabama.  Mrs. Simmons owned her own daycare.  She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sigrid Groghan; and husband, John Simmons.