MARY EMMA ROUSE SIMMONS
Died March 10, 2017
Mary Emma Rouse Simmons , 92, died Friday, March 10.
Mary Emma was born in Wayne County, and lived here her entire life.
She attended Women's College in Greensboro, N.C.
Until the age of 56, Mary Emma worked as a homemaker and seamstress for her three children, and was an expert gardener.
She watched over horses, puppies, monkeys, alligators, snakes and chickens as she raised her three animal-loving children.
Mary Emma propagated hundreds of azaleas, camellias and other beautiful flowering plants. Her yard was featured on the Goldsboro Garden Tours.
She was a lifelong member of St. Paul Methodist Church in Goldsboro, N.C. She was a Sunday school teacher and a Girl Scout leader.
For years, Mary Emma worked for her father and founder of R.N. Rouse Construction Co.
In August 1975, Mary Emma and her husband, Steve, took a leap of faith and started D.S. Simmons Inc, a general contracting company. After several years, their company became one of the leading construction companies in Eastern North Carolina.
Following Steve's death in 1983, Mary Emma took the helm of the company, and was one of the few female construction company owners.
She served on the board of directors of D.S. Simmons as president, chairman, chairman emeritus, as well as the boards of Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp., Wayside Fellowship Home Inc. and New East Bank in Goldsboro.
In 1985, she was named Boss of the Year by the American Business Women's Association of Wayne County.
She was also a member of Associated General Contractors of the Carolinas, Associated General Contractors of America, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, Wayne United Way, Wayne County Economic Development Commission, The Family YMCA, Crime Stoppers and Military Affairs Support for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
Mary Emma was an avid golfer. She had two hole-in-ones over the years.
Generous to a fault, if you crossed paths with Ma she had your back. She gave you money, helped with a hand up, encouraged many, and used all the influence she had to help her friends, family, coworkers, and anyone else she knew was in need. Her constant saying was, "A gift is a gift, and a loan is a loan." She would give you a hundred dollars, but chase you down for 2 cents change from the grocery store!
Mary Emma was preceded in death by her husband and high school sweetheart David Stevenson Simmons; her parents, Ray Norman Rouse Sr. and Mattie Carraway Rouse; and her brother Ray Norman Rouse Jr.
She is survived by her three daughters, Carroll Hawley (John), Bobbie Staten (Glenn Christie)of Goldsboro and Jean Minton (Phil) of Burlington, N.C.
She also leaves behind grandchildren, Beth Wachter Pope (Tracy) of Clinton, Mark Wachter of Goldsboro, Steven Staten of Raleigh, Mansfield Minton (Jena) of Lincolnton, and Tyra Phillips (Keith) of Raleigh; stepgrandchildren Summer Gruber (Matt) of Charlottesville, Va., and Jay Hawley of Greenville; and six great-grandchildren.
In addition, she leaves behind special friends, Bill and Elaine Thering, Cleve and Evelyn Paul and John Lewis.
Funeral services are being handled by Seymour Funeral Home.
Visitation for the family will take place at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, at St. Paul United Methodist Church.
Funeral services will follow at 11:30 a.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church, with the Rev. James Harry and the Rev. Phyllis Vail officiating.
A private family graveside service will be held at Willow Dale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on March 12, 2017 10:00 AM