Brenda Elaine Pardue Simmons, age 71, of Cornelia, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2019. Born on May 21, 1948, in Gainesville, Georgia, she was a daughter of the late Claude Pardue and Doris Suggs Payne. Mrs. Simmons received her Bachelor’s Degree from Piedmont College and went on to teach Kindergarten for 25 years at Baldwin Elementary. She was of the Christian faith, where she served the Lord as a Sunday School Teacher, Director of Youth Church Choir, Pianist at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, and Pianist at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. Mrs. Simmons was a member of the Good News Club, Retired Teachers Association, and Nursing Home Singing Ministry. She loved flowers, gardening, and “Junkin”. Above all she was a great Mom, Nana, and loved her family dearly. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Jeff Pardue and grandchildren: Casey Simmons, Kevin Simmons, and Kayla Simmons. Survivors include her husband of 49 years, James Simmons of Cornelia; son, Scott Wade Simmons of Cornelia; daughters and sons-in-law, Joy Simmons White and Jeff of Alto and Ginger Elaine Swilley and Paul of Cornelia; brother, Greg Pardue of Talmo; grandchildren and their spouses, Grason White and Emily of Commerce and Haley Irvin and Ethan; and future great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 am on Monday, September 16, 2019, in the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin and Stewart Funeral Home with Pastor Marshall Dale officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery with Pastor Edwin Smith officiating. The family will receive friends from 5-8 pm on Sunday, September 15, 2019, at the funeral home. An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com. MCGAHEE-GRIFFIN & STEWART FUNERAL HOME OF CORNELIA, GEORGIA (706/778-8668) IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.