Rebecca Ann Stanfield Simmons

ANDERSON, NC - Rebecca “Ann” Simmons went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. She passed peacefully in her sleep at home with her loving husband, Gilbert who survives. She will be deeply missed, but her family has peace knowing she is with her Savior and her family who departed before her. 

Ann was born May 28, 1946 in Caswell County, NC to the late Rebecca Fowlkes Stanfield and Arthur Stanfield.  She graduated from Prospect Hill High School in 1964 and attended Durham Beauty Academy in Durham, NC where she received her certificate in Cosmetology in 1965. After working as a hairdresser, Ann began working at Burlington Industries in the Reidsville Drapery Plant where she remained for 30 years, and then moved into a new position with Riddle & Company of Burlington and Drapery Boutique of Haw River. She was an accomplished seamstress and also operated her own custom curtain business. In later years, she served as a caregiver to her aunt Lucy Stanfield and a babysitter to her grandchildren and great nephew, Jace Ceprano, whom she loved like her own.

Ann and Gilbert were members of the Cherry Grove Community for more than 40 years. Ann was a founding member of the Cherry Grove Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, who worked to raise money to construct the building at its current location. She was the community hair dresser, seamstress, and “go-to” person for any medical advice, craft, flower or landscaping questions. In her younger years, she enjoyed being the Pagetown Road “candy witch” every Halloween, with her trademark “cackle” being heard 2 miles away. She also served as Boy Scout Troop leader of Webelos Pack 307 and was a leader in the T.O.P.S group that bonded so many neighborhood women over weight loss strategies, recipes and corny songs about Dinah Shore.

Ann was a faithful member of Trinity Missionary Baptist Church for over 35 years. She was always active in her church and was passionate about sharing the love and hope of Jesus with the next generation, which was evident in her work as assistant treasurer, WMU director, former youth Sunday school teacher, youth group leader and VBS craft master.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Robert “Bobby” Stanfield and Harry Lee Stanfield.  She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Gilbert Michael Simmons; daughter, Crystal Simmons Reynolds (Jeff) of Eden, NC; son, Kevin Simmons (Malinda) of Burlington, NC; daughter, Diana Miller Wheeler (Tradd) of Burlington, NC; sister Mary W. Stanfield Clayton (Barry) of Burlington, NC; five grandchildren, Audrey Simmons, Samantha Edwards, Catherine Reynolds, Elijah Reynolds, and Natalie Simmons and her five great grandchildren, Bodhi Wheeler, Zavi Wheeler, Elaina Wingate, Reese Wheeler, and Wylder Wheeler; as well as her church family whom she loved dearly.

Services will take place on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church 9904 HWY 150, Reidsville, NC. Visitation will be from 12 noon to 1:45 with memorial service beginning at 2pm. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Trinity Missionary Baptist Church PO BOX 329, Reidsville, NC 27323.