Gerda Hohn Simmons, 89, of Milton, Florida, passed away, Wednesday, December 21, 2016. Gerda was born in Bremerhaven, Germany on August 15, 1927. She met her husband, John Dale Simmons, and moved to Milton in 1950. They were married for 58 years before his passing in 2009. Gerda was retired from the Santa Rosa School Board after working at Hobbs Middle School for over 30 years. She continued to work there for several more years as a volunteer, and she especially enjoyed working with the special needs children. Gerda and John Dale enjoyed traveling. They took several trips to Europe and her hometown in Germany, and she was able to keep in contact with her friends and family in Germany. She was preceded in death by her husband John Dale Simmons and by her parents Gertrude and Johannes Hohn. Gerta is survived by: a daughter, Shirley(Rod) Hildbrandt; a son, John Walker (Debbie) Simmons; a granddaughter, Devon Anderson; her cousin Earlene Russell; and special friends: Linda, Terry, Eileen, Helen, Brenda, Mike and Susie. Services for Mrs. Simmons will be held at 5 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at the Lewis Funeral Home, Milton Chapel. The family will receive friends from, 5 pm until 7 pm on Tuesday evening, prior to services.