Lela LaRae (Gilliland) Simons

Lela LaRae Gilliland Simons, 85, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, April 9, 2018 at her residence. Memorial services celebrating Lela’s life will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Chester Home in Quinlan with Pastor Greg Chester officiating.

Lela was born on January 15, 1933 in Whitesboro, Texas. She is the daughter of the late James Ray Gilliland and Lois Glasgow Gilliland. She was raised and educated in Whitesboro. She was a telephone operator for 10 years. She also worked at Neiman Marcus and Colbert Volks. She is also preceded in death by her brother Paul Gilliland in 2002 and granddaughter Glenna Rae Aldrich in 1973. Lela was the Biggest Dallas Cowboy Fan!! She loved to dance and would compete against her daughter in contest and even won a few with trophies to prove it! She broke and trained wild horses and also rode horses in many playday events.

She is loved and will be missed by son Rick Simons of Wills Point; daughter Cyndi Cripps of Quinlan; grandchildren Mark Judkins, Justin Cripps, Derek Simons; great-grandson Caden Judkins.