Della Mae (Parrick) Simmons

Ms. Della Mae Simmons, age 92, of Sanford, NC, transitioned to eternal rest on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Liberty Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Sanford, NC.

Obituary

Della Mae Parrick-Simmons was born April 27, 1933, in Beaufort County, Washington, N.C. to the late Henry and Jennie Robinson Parrick. She was the youngest of eight children. She completed her early education and high school courses in Washington, N.C. Della and Jasper married on July 9, 1950, and reared six children after relocating to Sanford, N.C.

Della’s professional career began as a seamstress at Blue Bell Incorporation Textile Company, where she worked for ten years producing the well-known “Wrangler Denim” jeans/overalls, in retail and military apparel. She also worked for the Koury Textile Company for two years, specializing in high quality home fabrics and decorative textiles. Her experience as a seamstress awarded her the title “A Woman With Gifted Hands”.

Della loved the Lord with all her heart, soul, and mind. She was a member of Greater Zion Holy Temple Church, Sanford, NC where she faithfully served in the prayer ministry, visiting and praying with the sick, feeding the homeless, served on the mother's board, and imparted Godly wisdom to all who sought her counsel based on the Word of God. Her favorite song was “Do Not Pass Me By”.  She lived Titus 2:3-5, “The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things. That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

Della was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Jennie Parrick; her husband, Jasper Simmons; her sisters and brothers: Robert, Leroy, Mary, Pearlie, Naomi and Almeda; her daughters, Janet Simmons and Sudie Blackmore; her son Jackie Simmons.

She leaves to cherish her memory; her children, Emily Petty (Leroy); Jasper L. Simmons (Wilma); Jeannette Blackmore (Lawrence); Deborah Baldwin; Son-in-law Ronald Blackmore; her niece, Loretta McNeil; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family and friends.

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Professional services entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home - Sanford, NC