Mrs. Laura Bernice Cochran Simmons, age 82 of Florence, AL, passed away on December 21, 2022 at her residence.
Visitation will be Wednesday, December 28, 2022, from 11-12 p.m. at Greenview Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in Harris Chapel Cemetery. Officiating will be Andy Fogle.
Bernice was born on September 22, 1940, in Cherokee, AL, to Arnold and Mary Emma Cochran. She moved to Hickory, NC, where she met her husband, Paul Dean Simmons. They were married on June 25, 1958, and resided in Hickory until 2002.
In addition to her parents, Bernice was preceded in death by her daughter, Laura Chantelle Simmons, and brothers Earl Cochran, Gene Cochran, Fred Cochran, and Wayne Cochran.
She is survived by her husband, Paul Dean Simmons of Florence, AL; granddaughters Jenny (Slade) Gilmer and Katie (Buddy) Brewer, both of Florence, AL; great-grandson Will Brewer; sister Catherine Springer, of Florence, AL; brothers Dale Cochran of Cherokee, AL, and Jimmy Cochran of Tupelo, MS, sister-in-law Barbara Cochran of Killen, AL, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family would like to thank Compassus Hospice as well as the senior care staff at Shoals Hospital for her care.
