Anna Faye Simms

MALTA — Anna Faye Simms, 82, died Sunday, July 8th, 2018 at her home in West Park Village in Billings, Mont. Visitation was July 15, at the Kirkwood Memorial Chapel in Malta. Funeral Services were Monday, July 16, at the Kirkwood Memorial Chapel, with a luncheon at the V.F.W. Club following. Interment was in the Landusky Cemetery at Noon on Tuesday, July 17. Condolences for the family may be left at http://www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.

Anna Faye Simms was born October 9, 1935, to Charles and Anna Seaford at the Malta Hospital. She was raised and attended grade school in Landusky. She later attended high school in Whitewater and Malta, class of 1953.

She married Dewain Matthews in Malta on November 22, 1952, and made their home on a small farm three miles east of Malta. They had three sons Dan (1953), Larry (1954), and Michael (1956). They later divorced in 1969. Anna Faye then started her nursing career in Malta, later moving to Billings in 1972 to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. She worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital for four years. She was never keen on winters so when she traveled to Tucson to visit her sister Carol, she fell in love with the desert. After returning home she put in her two weeks’ notice and moved to Arizona.

In Arizona, Anna Faye worked as a live-in nurse for an elderly couple in Sasabe, which is near the Mexican border. She attended to and cared for the couple until their passing. After meeting Ernie Simms at a dance, they fell in love and were married June 20, 1980. Ernie was a Major in the United States Air Force, which required them to move to several locations around the country including, Hereford, Ariz., Washington, DC., Sierra Vista, Ariz., and finally retiring to their home on a golf course near Tucson, Ariz.

After 23 years of marriage, Ernie died unexpectedly in 2003. It was then that Anna Faye moved back to Malta to be near her family. She resided in Malta until February of 2017. Due to health issues, she moved to her current home at West Park Village in Billings, Mont.

Anna Faye was an avid duplicate bridge player, winning numerous trophies and tournaments. Her favorite past time was cooking and trying new recipes, which were always a delicious success. She enjoyed visiting friends and loved her family, never forgetting birthday and Christmas gifts. She looked forward to Christmas and decorating her home beautifully as she did for each passing holiday.

She enjoyed football and rooting for the Broncos on Sunday afternoon. She was proud of her grandchildren’s accomplishments, and a collector and saver of interesting newspaper clippings and stories and photos of all her family and friends.

She is survived by her sons, Dan Matthews, of Loveland, Colo .; Larry (Susan) Matthews of Malta, Mont .; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Sisters, Carol (Dan) Williams of Landusky, Mont .; LuluBelle Besel of Whitewater, Mont., and Debbie (John) Severeide of Cody, Wyo .; Numerous nieces and nephews.

Anna Faye was preceded in death by her husband of 23 years Ernie Simms, son Michael Matthews, her parents Charles Seaford and Anna Seaford Omdahl; and Brother Leanord Seaford. Memorials may be made to Hospice.