Obituary of Barbara J. Simmons Schwartz Wood

Barbara J. Simmons Schwartz Wood, 82, of Fairmont, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at the Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. She was born on June 5, 1942 in Rowlesburg, WV, the daughter of the late Calvin A. and Mary C. Bennett Simmons. Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Alfred, in July of 2024. Barbara was a faithful member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Mechanicsville, MD, and attended Rowlesburg High School. After high school, she worked as a waitress at G.C. Murphy’s in Fairmont, and later at Pearle Vison as an optician, until retiring. Barbara enjoyed gardening, birdwatching, and observing wildlife. Her greatest joy was spending precious time with her friends and family. Barbara is survived by her daughters, Katherine Wright and her husband Russell of Fairmont, Mary Jones and her husband Gary of Lost Creek, WV, and Pamela Hernandez and her husband Lee of Waldorf, MD, her grandchildren, Bradley and Nathaniel Wright, Joshua and Samuel Hernandez, Kirstri Woodword, Julia Lamar, and James Woodword IV, and great grandchildren, Rhodey and Colt Wright, Allison Stinnett, Adalia Woodword, Quatre Lamar, and Shayna Hernandez. She is also survived by her brothers, McClellen “Mac” Simmons and his wife Virginia of Georgia, and Paul Simmons of Reedsville, WV. In addition to her parents and husband, Barbara was preceded in death by her first husband, John Schwartz, brother, Gary Simmons, and sister, Norma Nixon. Memorial contributions may be made in Barbara’s name to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. The family has entrusted the arrangements to the Ford Funeral Home, Ford Chapel, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont. Friends will be received on Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 10 am until 12 Noon. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Saturday at 12 Noon with Pastor David Wright officiating. A service of committal will follow at the Red Rock Cemetery in Rowlesburg, WV. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.