Rilla Joyce (McBee) Simmons, 72, of Richmond passed away on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, at Liberty Hospital from complications with COVID-19. Part of her family was there with her, and the others joined her virtually by phone.

Rilla was born on May 23, 1948, in Lamar, Colorado. She was the only child of Roger Daniel McBee and Zelma Virginia (King) McBee. She was united in marriage to Robert William “Bob” Simmons of Longmont, Colorado, on May 28, 1967. He survives of the home.

Additional survivors include: two sons, Daniel and Teri (Becker) Simmons of Olathe, Kansas, and David and Tammy Jo (Hilker) Simmons of Kearney; six grandchildren, Kayla (Colin) Vaughan, Dalton W.J. Lightner, Kristen (Matt) Lynch, Kelsea (Zach Brendle) Ealey, Lauren Simmons and Jillian Simmons; two great-grandchildren, Jackson Brendle and Charlee Jo Lynch, and two on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter-in-law.

Rilla grew up in Lamar and moved to Cotton Creek Farm in Richmond when she was young. She attended school in Richmond and afterward went on to Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg. After college, she substitute taught in local schools. Rilla was a successful business owner of The Farmer’s Daughter Antiques and co-owner of Simmons and Co. Auctioneers. Rilla was a founding member of The Hardware Companies Kollectors Klub and was a professional antique estimator. She helped establish the Cotton Creek Cowboy Chapel and Cotton Creek Christian Ministries. Rilla was an amazing woman as a wife, mom, grandma, aunt, friend and local, community service activist.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Cotton Creek Christian Ministries. They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home; 507 E. Main St.-P.O. Box 190; Richmond, MO 64085.

A celebration of life service and visitation will be held at the American Legion/Ray County Veterans Building on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, with visitation starting at 11 a.m., with the celebration of life to start at 1 p.m. Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond is in charge of the arrangements.

Please share your memories of Rilla with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.