May 17, 1928 – July 5, 2013

FERRIDAY — Services for Jessie O’Neal Simms, 85, of Ferriday, who died Friday, July 5, 2013, at Canon Hospice in Metairie, La., will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at New Morning Star Baptist Church in Ferriday with the Rev. Justin Conner officiating.

Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Natchez National Cemetery under the direction of Concordia Funeral Home in Ferriday.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mrs. Simms was born May 17, 1928, in Natchez, the daughter of Phil and Savannah Washington O’Neal. She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Simms was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Willie O’Neal Jr.; two brothers, Joseph and Eddie O’Neal; and two sisters, Barbara Kornbacher and Mildred Wilson.

Survivors include one son, Willie Simms Jr. of Ferriday; two daughters, Janie Gage and husband, Wilson, of New Orleans and Carolyn Grindle and husband, James, of Jackson; four sisters, Lizzie Powell of Clayton, Janie McClain, Willie O’Neal and Mildred Davis, all of Ferriday; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Online condolences may be sent to www.concordiafuneralhomeinc.com.