Dolores "Dodie" Barnes Simmons

On July 11, 2023, Dolores (Dodie) Barnes Simmons passed away peacefully in Harlingen, Texas. The daughter of Alvin and Anitha Barnes, Dodie was born on September 21, 1932 in Laguna Vista, Texas and raised in Cuero and Cameron County, Texas. Dodie graduated from San Benito High School and attended Texas Southmost College.   She married Leonard Pierce (L.P.) Simmons Jr. and they raised their family and farmed in the Rangerville area.

Dodie was preceded in death by her husband, LP, her parents, and her siblings, Verda Rousseau, and Alvin Barnes.

She is survived by her children, Leonard (Mary Beth), Simmons , Sandra (Chuck) Fulkes, Sam (Susan) Simmons, and Martha (Tom) McLemore; her grandchildren, Courtney (Trey) Nash, Marte (Paul) Lange, Natalie (Ricky) Leal , Audrey (Matt) Hooks , Robert (Heather) Brooks, Samuel Simmons, Clay (Erika) McLemore, Zachary (Kelly) McLemore, James Simmons and Joshua (Athenea) McLemore; and 18 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Sandra Milum, and many nieces and nephews.

Dodie found her strength through her faith, her husband, her children, and her friends.   She was an excellent cook and seamstress. In her leisure time, she enjoyed reading, creating original crewel embroidery pieces, and writing poetry. Both every day occurrences and important occasions were likely to be commemorated with an original poem. Upon request, Dodie took great delight in reciting a poem or two.

Dodie was involved with the Girl Scouts for many decades. Her service began when she was just 19 years old and became a leader for her sister-in-law Connie‘s troop.  Later she continued as a troop leader and was honored to serve on the Valley-wide Girl Scout Board.  An active member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Dodie taught Sunday school for many years, where she realized that not only her children could be unruly and disobedient. Dodie was a long time member of Chapter L PEO and a member of First Methodist Church Harlingen. She and L.P. were honored to be chosen as Don and Dona for the Algodon Club and always looked forward to the annual celebration.   In her later years, Dodie volunteered as a docent at the Iwo Jima Museum. Growing up during World War II made a lasting impression, and she enjoyed both sharing her knowledge and hearing the stories from the veterans who visited the museum.

In Dodie‘s last years, she was blessed to live in Ruby and Paul Navarrette‘s care home. In Ruby, she found more than just a caregiver, but also a friend and loving spirit.

Visitation will be held at the Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home on Thursday, July 20 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.   A memorial service will take place at First Methodist Church Harlingen on Friday, July 21 at 11:00 a.m.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Sam and James Simmons, Clay, Zachary, and Joshua McLemore, and great grandson Dylan Leal.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dodie’s memory can be made to the Iwo Jima Memorial Museum at the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen or First Methodist Church Harlingen.