Julianne Howard Bell Simons, 87, widow of Keating Lewis Simons, Jr., died at home on Wadmalaw Island, SC, on June 11, 2018. She was born February 11, 1931, in Gainesville, GA, the daughter of Dr. Kenneth Rush Bell and Henrietta Maria Howard Bell.
Julianne attended Henry W. Grady School of Journalism, University of Georgia. She became Woman’s Editor at the Gainesville, GA, Daily Times.
In 1952, Julianne became a Department of the Army civilian so that she could sail to Okinawa to marry her fiancé on October 4. They returned to the states in late 1953, settling in Charleston, SC, to begin their family.
While raising her three children, she participated in numerous volunteer activities through which she developed lifelong friendships.
An avid reader, Julianne loved cooking and entertaining, enjoyed challenging crossword puzzles and playing cards with her many friends. Her love of needlepoint evolved into a thirty-plus years co-ownership of Cabbage Row Shoppe.
She will be remembered for her love of words, quick wit, graciousness, and true enjoyment of friends and family.
Julianne is predeceased by Keating, her husband of 65 years; and her brother, Norman Howard Bell, M.D. She is survived by her children: Keating Lewis Simons, III, and his wife Jule; Evelyn Simons de Mailly and her husband Robert of Columbia; Julianne Simons Hurst and her husband Bobby of Columbia; her grandchildren: Keating Lewis Simons, IV, and his wife Rebecca; Benjamin Frost Simons; John Simons de Mailly; Emma Howard Hurst; Allyson Simons Hurst; her great-grandchild, Willow MacKenzie Simons; and her sister, Deborah Bell Herbst of Arlington, VA.
The family would like to thank caregiver Carolyn Kizer for her devotion to Julianne and her family.
Friends are invited to call on Thursday, June 14, between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. at 1541 Inverness Dr, Charleston, SC. A private, graveside service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pompion Hill Chapel Foundation, 724 Royall Ave., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464.