Nellie is the daughter of Holly and Ethel Cunningham Simmons and grew up in Point Pleasant. She retired from teaching in 1979.826

Obituary, Dominion Post, Morgan town, WV (online edition: www.dominionpost.com), July 24, 2003:
“Nellie Thompson SImmons Grimm

Nellie Thompson Simmons Grimm, 89, formerly of Charleston, died Tuesday, July 22, 2003, at Sundale Nursing Home in Morgantown after an extended illness.

She was born Nov. 13, 1913, in Dr. Grimm’s Hospital in St. Marys, Pleasants County, the daughter of the late Millard Holly and Ethel Cunningham Simmons, both natives of Roane County.

She was raised in Point Pleasant, Mason COunty, where she attended public schools, graduated from Point Pleasant High School at the top of her class all four years, and was awarded the Friedman Prize. During high school, she was president of the junior class, participated in dramatics and debate, played on the girls’ traveling basketball team, and was an accompanist for the orchestra.

She was an honor roll student at Marshall College, where she matriculated at the age of 16, was a member of the debate team, president of Kappa Theta socal sorority, a member of Gammer Gammer, Kappa Gamma National Forensic Fraternity, and Kappa Delta Pi National Educational Fraternity. She graduated with an A.B. degree in social studies and English. SHe began teaching sociology and economics at Point Pleasant High School before she was 21. During her four years teaching at Point Pleasant, she was also president of the Junior Woman’s Club, chair of the committee that started the Point Pleasant Public Library, and was superintendent of the children’s division of the Main Street Baptist Church Sunday school.

Following her marriage to Harper Grimm, on Feb. 3, 1939, she taught history and physical education at St. Albans High School while her husband practiced law. After raising her children, she returned to teaching inKanawha County, earned a master’s degree in counselilng from Marshall University and completed her career in 1980 as a guidance counselor at Charleston High School. She and her husband remained in Charleston until 1994 when they moved to Fairmont to be cared for by their children.

Mrs. Grimm was a Princess at both the Forest Festival and the Black Walnut Festival. She was a Regent of the John Young chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church, of Charleston. She was accomplished in sewing, knitting, cooking and as a pianist. She was a loving mother and wife whos greatest joy was her family.

She was predeceased by her parents and a brother, Lt. Col. George M. Simmons, U.S. Army (Ret.).

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Harper Granville Grimm, of Morgantown; a son and spouse, Harper Granville Grimm Jr., and Jeanne S. Grimm, of Morgantown; two daughters and spouses, Elizabeth Ann Grimm and Jack Roth of Houston, Texas, and Susannah Grimm Poe and Steven D. Poe, of Monumental; five grandchildren, Geoffrey Granville Grimm and spouse, Julie, of Weston, Sarah Malinda Grimm Harris and spouse John, of San Diego, Calif., Matthew Clayton Poe, of Monumental, and Johanna Roth and Katherine Roth, of Houston; and two great-grandchildren, Andrew and Anthony Grimm, of Weston. She is also survived by a sister, Sarah Patrick, of Huntington; and a brother and spouse, Daniel Fillmore Simmons and Lota Simmons, of Mount Pleasant, Tenn.

Family and friends will be received from 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 25 at the McCulla Funeral Home in Westover. Graveside services will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Friendly Cemetery in Friendly, Tyler County, with her nephew Carl Dayhoff officiating.”