Threase LaRee Simmons

Threase passed away in the arms of Keith with other family members by her side on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. She spent the last few days of her life in a hospice house with caring compassionate people tending to her needs and the needs of the visiting family that kept her from being alone.Threase was born May 20, 1956 in Lawton, Oklahoma to Rocco Joseph Pace and Mary Archilta.Threase attended the Boone Schools through the eighth grade then on to the Apache Schools. There is where she met and later married Darroll Keith Simmons on October 28, 1972 in Apache, Oklahoma.The family moved to Key West, Florida in 1974 to 1977 during Keith's enlistment in the Navy. After that time, Threase's home has been in and around the Boone Apache area.Upon returning from Florida, Threase volunteered at the Apache Head Start program where she was later employed by that program and became the director for a few years. In 1989 her health forced her to leave the working world and focus on raising children and keeping the home.And raising children is what she did. About a year after leaving Head Start, she decided that she could not stay away from little ones. So, it was time to help as many children in foster care as she could. Through the years that followed there have been several children in the home. Because of taking in other children, Threase was given the nickname of Mother Threase by a lifelong friend of the family, Steve Shultz. That name has stuck with her and is still well known among close family and close friends.Threase loved to travel and take the little ones on trips. She was always planning and doing activities and outings to parks, lakes, the Wichita Mountains and Wildlife Refuge, the zoo, theme parks, and to places that Antonio called fun places. She also loved to go to all of her grandkids sporting events and being their biggest fan.She welcomed sleep overs, pool parties, outdoor activities and doing indoor crafts. Large cookouts, birthday parties, and holidays were always special events for her. Those times she had with the little ones were the happiest times of her life.Threase was a member of the Latter Day Saints since her early years in elementary school. She loved being a member and was always heartbroken when her health kept her from being able to participate or stay active. She befriended many members throughout the years. One member, Cathy Heft became the contact person for other members at her own request. Their history is also connected to the Head Start program with Elgin where our grandson Trevor attended. She is a very dear friend of Threase and inquired about her on going health issues throughout their friendship.Threase is survived by Keith of the home; three children: Chad N. Simmons of Norman, Oklahoma, Darla D. Tracy and spouse, Dusty Rowell of Indiahoma, Oklahoma and Jamie L. Simmons of Elgin, Oklahoma; six grandchildren: Trevor Youmans and spouse, Alice of Elgin, Oklahoma, Devlin Tracy and spouse, Maddie of Elgin, Oklahoma, Skyla Renager and spouse, Dewayne of Lawton, Oklahoma, Jazmyn Simmons, Cameron Simmons, and Antonio Simmons all of Elgin, Oklahoma; adoptive granddaughter, Diamond Little; three great granddaughters: Kay Kay, Alaina, and Desirae; adoptive great granddaughter, Eleanor; one sister, LaQuinta and spouse, Richard Holcomb of Apache, Oklahoma; two sisters-in-law: Marion Mithlo, Carol and spouse, Billy Wermy all of Apache, Oklahoma; one brother-in-law, Frank Simmons; many nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, and numerous cousins.Threase is preceded in death by one son, Darroll Keith Simmons Jr; maternal grandparents, Rocco Pace Sr and Threase Pace; paternal grandparents, Freddie Tsatahsisko Archilta and Julia Mulkehay; both parents, Rocco Pace Jr and Mary Pace Archilta; three aunts, Imogene Reyna, Sandra Marroquin, and Martha Banderas; five siblings, De Lorna Strong, Darryl Williams Sr., Rocky Pace, Nathalene Pantoja, and Nathan Pace; four nephews: Darryl Williams Jr., Joseph (Jo Jo) Pantoja, Ralph Pantoja and Nathaniel McCray.Family will greet friends and family on Sunday, October 15, 2023 at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.Services will be at 11:00 A.M., Monday, October 16, 2023 at the Latter Day Saints Church in Anadarko. Services are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home, Anadarko, Oklahoma.Condolences may be sent to the family at www.smithfuneralservices.com

Threase LaRee Simmons

May 20, 1956 - October 10, 2023

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