Mrs. Martha Reece Simmons, age 85, of Ellijay, GA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

Mrs. Simmons was born on October 30, 1939, in Gilmer County to the late Dewey C. Reece and Vesta Rackley Reece. She was a 1957 graduate of Gilmer High School and a member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sisters, Kathy Davenport and Sue Page, and great-granddaughter, Sadie Jean Sanford.

Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Harold Simmons, of Ellijay, GA; daughter and son-in-law, Tanya and Rev. Scott Chastain, of Ellijay, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie and Jennifer Chester, of Ellijay, GA; 3 grandchildren and spouses, Madison (Zach) Sanford, of Ellijay, GA, Macie (Marlen) Hensley, of Ellijay, GA, and Sara Chastain, of Ellijay, GA; 4 great grandchildren, Cohutta, Walker, Weston, and Coy; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends also survive.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, September 25th at 2 pm from Harvest Missionary Church in Ellijay, GA, with Rev. Scott Chastain and Rev. Glenn Arnold officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Jamie Kerr officiating. Music will be by Alan Davenport and Sophie Burnette. The following gentlemen will be serving as pallbearers: Chuck Reece, Curtis Davis, Ernie Carringer, Jim Young, Ben Chin, and Brian Shedd. Honorary pallbearer will be Wayne Johnson.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 24th, from 4 pm until 8 pm at the funeral home.

Flowers and Food will be accepted in memory of Mrs. Martha Simmons.

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.