Memorial service for Mrs. Tracy Simmons, 58 of Killeen, TX will be held Saturday, August 26, 2023, 4:00 p.m. at Chisolm's Family Funeral Home in Killeen, TX.  A private family interment will be held at a later date.

Repast will follow the service at Endeavors Performing Arts and Special Events Venue, located at 868 S. Fort Hood St., Killeen, TX.

Tracy Simmons transitioned from this earth to glory on August 22, 2023, in Killeen, Texas. She was born January 12, 1965, at St. Albans Naval Hospital in Queens, New York.

She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of ten. She was a member of Marlboro Heights Missionary Baptist Church (Killeen, Texas) for many years under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Dr. R.A. Abercrombie. In her later years she was a faithful member of Christian House of Prayer (Killeen, Texas) where she served as a greeter and graduated from the Sonship School of The First Born.

Living in Killeen, Texas since 1972, she attended Peebles Elementary School, Rancier and Manor Junior High Schools, and Killeen High School where she graduated from in 1983 and became lifelong friends with Sue Johnson Kent, Erica King Levy, Ramona Pearcey Burnett, and Marilyn Manjang. After working for Delta Air Lines, Inc. as a flight attendant for three years, she decided to become a nurse. She began her nursing journey by attending Central Texas College for an associate degree, completing her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at Texas Tech University, and earning her Master of Science degree in nursing at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. She was board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Growing up, Tracy spent the summer months with her grandmother who was affectionately called, "Maw-Maw". Her grandmother would take her to spend a month with her great-grandmother who was called, "Mother Dear".  Tracy and her brother David enjoyed spending time with them in the country (Grapeland, Texas) and the city (Houston, Texas). Every year she would help her grandmother cook Thanksgiving dinner. After Maw-Maw's passing, Tracy started the family tradition of cooking every Thanksgiving dinner for the family.

She had many friends among her coworkers in the healthcare industry at Seaton Hospital, Scott & White Hospital, Scott & White Clinic (Copperas Cove, Texas), Bennett Clinic on Ft. Hood (now Ft. Cavazos), Killeen Health Department, & Hughes Prison Unit in Gatesville, Texas.

Tracy was the best mother to Amber Nichole "Nikki" Butts Ware (Jeremy) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Kamryn Alexus Frasier Stiles. She loved and was the proud grandmother ("Mimi") of Noah & Liberty "Libby" Ware of Atlanta, Georgia.

She is predeceased by her great grandparents, Andrew & Gertrude Jackson, grandparents, Bezel & Almedia Pender, great uncle, Hazle Armstead, great aunt, Juanita Hooper, and aunt, Rosie Jones.

She is survived by her parents, Dave & Georgia Duren of Killeen, Texas, siblings, David Duren Jr., Timothy Duren, & Danielle Duren of Houston, Texas, cousins Yolanda Furlow, Demetria Ford (Raymond), Tamara Hamilton (Julius), Hazel Thorpe (Peter) of Houston, Texas, Jacquelyn "Cookie" Scott of Crockett, Texas, and many other cousins from both cities (Houston & Crockett, Texas).