Elwood (Woody) Simmons was born to Glinna (Nichols) Simmons and Lewis Simmons in Fleming County, KY on August 19, 1939. He graduated from Fleming County High School in 1958 and shortly after, he attended business school in Cincinnati, OH. Upon completion of business school, Elwood enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Baumholder, Germany, where he excelled as a clerk and earned many commendations. He returned home after completing his service to utilize his education in business and to raise his new and growing family. His penchant for hard work and his business acumen afforded him success as the owner and operator of Simmons Drywall Company. After more than 20 years in construction Elwood shifted his career focus to real estate and car sales where he won several prestigious awards. He owned and managed multiple real estate ventures, but it was his return to farming on his beloved childhood farm that brought him the most joy in his "retirement. "Farming reignited his passion for animals including horses, cows, dogs and even a wayward emu that he trained to eat apples out of the palm of his hand. Animals were no match for Woody's charm and he had them conditioned to follow any command he gave. We say "he" because his animals only responded to his instruction. Woody's unimpressed animals were struck selectively deaf by identical (and frustrated) efforts uttered by anyone else.

Elwood's greatest accomplishment was being the original and best "girl-dad" in a time where no such label existed. There wasn't an activity that he considered too daunting for his three adoring daughters. If there was a sport they wanted to try, he not only encouraged them, but he practiced with them after working twelve-hour days in construction. He was never too tired or too busy for his girls. He taught his daughters to ride horses, to shoot clay pigeons, to not only fish but to bait their own hooks and then to clean/cook their own fish. He taught his girls that gender didn't dictate what they could and more importantly, what they couldn't do.

In 1990, Woody met the love of his life at a Christian singles dance. Days later at Christmas he introduced this beautiful, red-haired lady who loved to dance and laugh as much as he did to his family. They married in 1996. This new light in Woody's life loved each of his girls as much as she loved Woody. Along with the lovely Marcy came three sons and a daughter. Together, Marcy and Woody never used the differentiating term, "step" for anything. Her kids were Woody's kids and his daughters were Marcy's.

On July 21st, 2024, Elwood defeated Parkinson's Disease in the arms of Jesus at the age of 84, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Elwood was surrounded by his devoted daughters and his beloved wife Marcy. We will forever remember his tenacious spirit's zeal for farming, the glory of outdoor adventure, his fierce love for his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, many nieces, nephews, friends and an undeterred sense of humor always signaled by the gleam in his azure blue eyes and accompanying mischievous grin that warned you to buckle up because something amusing was about to befall you.

Elwood is preceded in death by his Father Lewis Simmons and Mother Glinna Simmons. Also preceding him in death are his siblings, Albert Simmons, Nellie Martin and Litha Lytle. Elwood is preceded in death by Marcy's son Kevin Leigeber with whom we take great joy in imagining their first heavenly greeting. Elwood is also preceded in death by son-in-law Michael David Moore, nephew Thom Simmons and niece Tamara Simmons-Carpenter.

Elwood is survived by his adoring wife Marcella Simmons and doting children Donna Simmons-Bacon (Greg Hopkins), Sharon Simmons-Rigsby (Michael Rigsby), Lynda Simmons-Higgins (Ronald Higgins), Sheila Leigeber-Moore, Daniel Leigeber (Beth Leigeber), Christoper Leigeber and Matthew Leigeber (Jennifer Leigeber.) Elwood is survived by siblings Don Simmons, Ada Simmons-Ford (Paul Ford), and Lewis Simmons Jr. (Marcella Simmons). His surviving grandchildren are David Bacon (Katie Schneider), Andrea Bacon-Coulter (Ben Coulter), Carter, Rylie, Evan, Chase, Jack and Aiden Higgins, Eric Rigsby and Cole Rigsby, Erin Phillips, Jacob Leigeber, Courtney Moore-Sinclair (Daniel Sinclair), Caitlin Moore-Camazon (Michael Camazon), Zachary Moore (Ginger Moore), Mateo Leigeber, Marcel Leigeber, and Michael Leigeber. Elwood is also survived by many treasured great grandchildren.

Visitation for Elwood Simmons will be held at Boone-Nickell Funeral Home at 150 W. Water St., Flemingsburg, KY 41041 on Sunday, July 28th from noon to 2:00 pm. His funeral service will be held on Monday, July 29th at Boone-Nickell Funeral Home at 11:00 am. Elwood will be laid to rest at Mt. Carmel Cemetery immediately following the service. W.N. Fant American Legion Post #5 and Franklin Sousley VFW Post 1834 will be performing military rites.

The family requests that donations be made in lieu of flowers to:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now

Or

Hospice of Hope- Maysville, KY

https://hospiceofhope.com/Donate

Memories can be shared on his tribute wall at www.boonenickellfuneral-home.com under Elwood Simmons' obituary.