Collene Simmons Ivey

Collene Simmons Ivey, age 85, of Clermont, entered this life on August 18, 1929 and entered eternal life on May 23, 2015. 

Collene was born in White County, the family moved to Hall Co. early in life, she ended her career in Gainesville and Atlanta, then spent her retirement years in the Shoal Creek and Clermont area. Collene was a member of Concord Baptist Church in Clermont, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her parents Ira & Nellie Gooch Simmons who lived in White County and was one of the first to get electricity in that area, where they ran the Loud Gold Mine Electricity Plant. Their home was a welcome place for all the neighbors, who would come over and listen to the radio on Saturday night. She began her career at age 17 with Southern Bell Company in Gainesville, Georgia as an operator, saying (Number Please) and retired in supervision at Bell South in Atlanta, Georgia after 37 years of service. She spent her life loving, serving and caring about others. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels, she was a member of the Pioneers Club Southern Bell, The Young at Hearts at Shoal Creek Baptist Church, and The Joy Club at Concord Baptist Church. She traveled with the Golden Wheels Club and Ken Phillips Tours for many years. She enjoyed her life with her love of God, many cousins, Gospel Music, travel, and was able to visit so many beautiful places God has created, she visited almost all the US States and in several other countries. She carried with her a strength and a joy of life that only comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. All who knew her loved and admired her. 

Survivors include her loving cousins and traveling companions Genell Thomas, Larry Clark, Russell & Geneva Humphries & Sherrell Sisum. Her special helper and cousin, Kathey Thomas. Close family and neighbors: Benny and Mary Lou Nix, Marlena Nix, Marty, Jan, Matthew and Jessica Nix, Mike, Melody, Katie and Cody Marlowe. Her walking buddies at Clermont Dip Library, her Thomas Family, Gooch Family, Simmons Family and a host of cousins, friends & neighbors. 

 Funeral Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Tuesday May 26, 2015 at Shoal Creek Baptist Church in White County. Dr. Joe Vernon will officiate. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends at Barrett Funeral home Cleveland, Georgia Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Tuesday until the funeral hour. 

Online condolences may be made to the family at barrettfh.com. 

Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland.