Serena Simmons, age 90, of Knoxville, Illinois, died at 11:27 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at her home.
She was born on September 6, 1935 in Knoxville, Illinois, the daughter of Ralph and Nellie (Krantz) Murphy. She attended and graduated from Knoxville High School in 1952. She married Robert T. Simmons on June 10, 1955. He preceded her in death on May 13, 2020.
Together they had two daughters: Missy (Paul) Hinton of Rantoul, Illinois, and the late Teresa Lynn Simmons, whom she missed dearly. Also surviving is one grandson, Christopher Thomas Simmons of Montreal, Canada; two step-granddaughters: Katie Hinton of Trenton, Michigan and Sasha Hinton of Tampa, Florida; one sister, Connie (John) Davies of Delong, Illinois; two brothers-in-laws, Dan (M’Len) Simmons of Galesburg, Illinois and Hugh (Janice) Simmons of Port Byron, Illinois; sister-in-law, Dixie (Roger) Matthews of Lodi, California; and many nieces and nephews from both sides of her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one daughter, Teresa Lynn; sisters: Annabel, Wilma, and Jeannie; brothers: George, Kenny, Loren, and Leo.
She worked for the Knoxville School District in the kitchen at Mable Woolsey Jr. High and High School. She enjoyed cooking, her favorite baking Christmas cookies. She was an avid Illini fan. Her and her husband were very blessed, they retired at a young age, so they can spend time together to travel the world. She was a member of the Bethany Baptist Church for over 55 years.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 with funeral services beginning at 2 p.m. at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory in Knoxville, Illinois, with Rev. Dan Simmons and Rev. Greg Bartlett officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at the Knoxville Cemetery, Knoxville, Illinois. A fellowship will follow the graveside services at the Hurd-Hendricks Fellowship Center in Knoxville, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Harmony Baptist Church. Online condolences may be shared at www.hurd-hendricks.com.
