Reva E. Simmons

Reva E. Simmons, 82, Altus, passed away Sunday, February 4, 2018. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at the Kincannon Memorial Chapel with John Lingle and Cari Stapp officiating. Burial will follow services at the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Kincannon Funeral Home.
Reva Elory Chance was born September 23, 1935 in Ring, Texas to Luther and Mattie (Bohannan) Chance. She attended school in Arnett and Hollis, Oklahoma. Reva shared stories with her family recalling picking cotton in Harmon County during her school years. She married Charles "Ed" Ballard on November 22, 1952 and to this union six children were born. Reva was a stay at home mother and a homemaker while her children were young. In their early years Mr. Ballard was in the construction business, initially in Hollis, then moving their family to Borger, Texas and later to Liberal, Kansas. The family moved to Altus in 1964. When the youngest of the Ballard children had started school in 1968 Reva began working outside the home. She worked at Larry's Burgers for about 6 years, where Long John Silvers is located today. Then, Reva worked at the North Main Love's Country Store for about 5 years, recalling in those days there was another Love's on Falcon Road. She then worked at Blonnie Ray's Big D Burger for about 4 years, where Mi Familia is located today. Reva bought Robert's Drive Inn in 1986 and enjoyed many years serving and visiting with friends until her retirement. Her daughter, Eddie Ballard Stapp, still owns and operates the resturant today. Following the death of Mr. Ballard, Reva married George Simmons in 2008. Reva was a member of the First Baptist Church in Altus and enjoyed Senior Dances, Thunder basketball, Oklahoma University football, shopping and reading. The family emphasizes of all her hobbies, shopping was, by far, her most favorite! Of course she cherished time spent with her family and friends.
Reva was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Ed Ballard and George Simmons; her daughter, Patricia Ballard; her son, Kenneth Ballard and her daughter-in-law, Rene Ballard.
She is survived by her daughter, Eddie Stapp and husband, Tommy; three sons, Jimmy Ballard; Harold Ballard; and Billy Ballard; stepdaughter, Leanna Bridgett and husband, Jim; stepson, Ken Simmons and wife, Tonya; one daughter-in-law, Kristie Ballard; her sister, Faye Mayhall and husband, Monte; her brother, Jerry Chance and wife, Rita; two sisters-in-law, Katie Horton and husband, Ed; and Faye Dill and husband, Clint; twelve grandchildren, Jason Ballard and wife, Paula; Justin Ballard and wife, Casey; Joey Dawson and wife, Shannon; Nathan Ballard; Christopher Ballard; Matt Ballard and wife, Faryn; Isaiah Ganaway; Joey Dawson, Jr; Cari Stapp and Tricia Stapp; Kristie Ganaway and husband, Mark; Amber Smith and husband, Tracy; and Heather Garcia and husband, Terry; fifteen great grandchildren; a host of other relatives and many friends.

The Simmons family greeted friends at a reception from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday evening at Kincannon Funeral Home.