Mrs. Barbara Hardy Simmons was born April 14, 1948, in Pickens South Carolina to the late Mr. Ed and Mrs. Sylvine Hardy. She was blessed to recently celebrate her 75th birthday. On April 23rd she received her gift of eternal life.

In her youth she attended Paisley Senior High School here in the city. While attending high school she participated in the Glee club and was awarded 2nd Place in a spelling bee. She was also a member of the Morningside Recreation Center. In 1975, Barbara received her Certified Nursing Assistant diploma from Forsyth Technical Community College. After which she worked in various nursing facilities in and around the city, having ultimately retired from America Home Health in Greensboro.

Later in life she married her soul mate, George Simmons. They had 5 beautiful children. Mrs. Simmons was a devoted and loving wife. She loved to cook and enjoyed making people laugh. A gentle giant that always imparted Godly wisdom to whomever had the pleasure of being in her presence. Also, lovingly called "Nanny", her grandchildren meant the world to her!

In addition to her parents Barbara was preceded in death by her husband George Simmons, three brothers, Ed Hardy III, James Hardy, Frederick Hardy, and two sisters, Dorothy Hardy and Belinda Hardy.

Left to cherish Barbara are: five children, Bobby Jean Hardy, Bernard Lavel Hardy, Rachel (James) Hardy Long, Timothy Alexander Hardy and Eric Markee Hardy, all of Winston-Salem, NC; nine grandchildren, De'Mario Simmons, Michael Covington, Brittany Hardy, Bobby Hardy, Jr., Marcus Hardy, Larisa McMillian, Erica Hardy, Latarsha Long and Tremaine Long; nineteen great-grandchildren; eight siblings, David Hardy, Brenda Hardy, Betty Galloway, Clifford Hardy, Sylvine (Clarence) Jones, Donald (Annette) Hardy, all of Winston-Salem, NC and Evelyn Freeman of Upper Marlboro, MD; one aunt Effie (Henry) Lee; two uncles, William (Jannie) Acker and James Acker III all of South Carolina, a devoted friend Mr. James Presley of Winston-Salem, NC and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A public viewing will held Friday April 28, 2023, from 1pm until 5pm at Douthit's. Funeral services will be held Saturday April 29, 2023 at 12:30pm from Redeemed Missionary Baptist Church 1170 West Clemmonsville Road and interment will follow in Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at 12:00pm. Arrangements are in the care of Douthit Funeral Services.