George Randolph

George Ann Simms Randolph

Surrounded by her family, George Ann Simms Randolph passed into the presence of her Lord December 22, 2021, in Tyler, Texas and was greeted by a host of heavenly family and friends. Ann battled Parkinson’s Disease for many years, refusing to give in to its debilitating forces. Always doing for others was what she was about. In her last years accepting help was her biggest challenge ever as her life had always been about serving others. Born in Panhandle, Texas February 14, 1927 to Gary Leard and George Ella (George E)Ball Simms,  Ann grew up in Panhandle.  After graduation from Panhandle High School,  she went on to four years at Texas Tech where she met Ben Wade Randolph. They married in Panhandle September 9, 1947 and two years after made their home in Hobbs , NM.  Three children were born to their marriage: Stephenie Wade, and twins Diane Rose and David Simms. A few years later Mike Murphy joined the family as a full fledged son and brother.

While raising their family Ann and Ben were active in the Hobbs community and faithful in their church, First Baptist. Ben and Ann both taught Sunday School. They served or chaired virtually every committee and participated in most every special event and program First Baptist produced. The home  she and husband Ben made in Hobbs was always open to their friends and those of their children.  At a recent high school reunion she was remembered as the room mother who made a new classmate feel welcome when he moved to a new school and  town.  Ann was caring and compassionate, ready at a moment’s notice to take food, host the Brownies, serve as a Den Mother or help any other group needing a “mom” or volunteer. More than one friend of “the kids” thought of  Ann as their “second mother” and her home as a second home.  Ann and Ben are remembered by many Hobbs High graduates for hosting hayrides and their famous “Morning after Graduation” breakfast! It was not unusual for her to wake to find a cowboy or two sleeping on the floor or sofa after a late night rodeo competition, happy to have breakfast and then head on down the road to home.

Ann also delighted in gardening and floral design and especially enjoyed her membership in Patio Garden Club . She and Ben spent many happy days at their home in Pendaries, NM where they treasured time with family, made special friends and became active in helping to grow Rociada Baptist Church. After Ben’s passing she continued to live in Hobbs, enjoying lunch and outings with special friends, volunteering for the Symphony and becoming a travel hostess for Giovanni Travel. She thrilled to see the world with new and old friends and especially enjoyed a European trip with daughters Stephenie and Diane and sister Joyce. A special event was traveling to Colorado for the graduation of Brandon(Mike and Terri’s son)from the Airforce Academy. An equal disappointment was missing the wedding of their daughter Melissa, due to declining health. As her Parkinson’s progressed, she spent most of her time in Tyler with daughter and son-in-law, Stephenie & Randy and enjoyed having daughter Diane close for visits. Joining First Baptist Church of Tyler, she became a member of  the Radio Bible Class and loved the new friends she made there.

George  Ann was predeceased  by her parents , her husband Ben, son David and son-in-law Eddy Mathews. She is survived by her loving family of daughter Stephenie and husband Randy Roberts of Tyler, daughter Diane Randolph Mathews of Plano, Texas ,  son Mike Murphy and wife Terri of Lenexa, Kansas, and their children and grandchildren, and sister Joyce Rushmer of Canyon, Texas.  Also left to cherish her memory are daughter of the heart, Dalia Soas, special friend and neighbor Esther Bratcher and a host of very special nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews  and many, many dear friends. The family extends their love and deep appreciation to devoted caregivers and friends, Robin Kelly, Francisca Barrientos,  Christine Robinson and physical therapist David Bulls.

If desired memorials may be made the charity of your choice or Amazon Outreach, 2001 W Plano Parkway , Suite 3425,Plano, TX 75075; Rociada Baptist Church, P.O. Box 747,  Rociada, NM 87742; Together We Worship, First Baptist Church, 301 W. Ferguson, Tyler, TX 75702