Sedley - Margaret Ann Blythe Simms passed away on March 27, 2025, in East Pavilion.  She was born May 30, 1928, the third child of Thomas Algie Blythe, Sr. and Annie Mae Bradshaw Blythe.  She was delivered by Dr. Rufus L. Raiford, the beloved Sedley doctor.   When Margaret was only two months old, her mother died.  In April of the following year, her father married Sarah Elizabeth Burkett.  She was the only mother Margaret ever knew, and there could have been no greater love between a mother and a child.

On August 9, 1947, Margaret married John Richard Simms, Jr. and moved to his farm.   They had been married almost 49 years when John died in 1996.

Margaret was a graduate of Courtland High School and Webb School of Business.  Her first job was working for Franklin attorney George Hinson Parker, Jr.  Over the years, she also worked for Ruritan National, Judge Carlton Holladay, James W. Renney, L. Ray Ashworth, Wakefield Oil Company, and Southeast 4-H Educational Center.  Her work was her life, and she was 82 before she retired.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and three siblings, Helen Blythe Turner, Thomas A. Blythe, Jr., and Sarah Blythe Gayle.

She is survived by her daughter, Margaret Simms Hedrick of Charlotte, NC and son, Richard Simms of Sedley.  She is also survived by five grandchildren: Chris Simms (Jennie), Sara Simms Harsh (Jake), Eric Hedrick (Cathrena), Nate Hedrick (Amanda) and Samantha Upton Parker (Aaron) as well as two great-grandchildren, Rhea Hedrick and Ezra Harsh.  She was "Granny" to many.

She will be remembered for her amazing recall of people, events, and stories from the Sedley and Wakefield area...her Easter trees and Christmas trees...the peanut butter fudge, hundreds of coconut balls, and other goodies she made and shared at Christmas...how much she loved she-crab soup and brunch at The Jefferson Hotel ...family gatherings...the best corn pudding, potato salad, yams, and homemade churned ice cream...and her distinctive hairstyle.

Margaret's life was filled with an abundance of blessings including her many friends.  As her health declined, these blessings also included her caregivers and the staff at East Pavilion and Hospice of Virginia.  Her family is grateful for the love and support.

Burial in Rosemont Cemetery will be private.

Remembrances may be made in the form of an act of love and kindness to someone in need of a blessing.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org