Kirby Britt Rutledge Simmons

Funeral services for Kirby Britt Rutledge Simmons will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Pine Forest Baptist Church of Collinsville with the Reverends Andy May, Clay Pope, and T.J. Jenning officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

With heavy hearts we share the passing of Kirby Britt Rutledge Simmons, a beloved wife, mother, daughter, and sister. She was also a dedicated friend and an elementary/middle school teacher. Kirby, age 39, passed away at Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Kirby had many passions in life, but none compared to her deep love for her family and her students. She shared over fifteen years of marriage and friendship with the love of her life, Brandon Simmons. They were blessed with a beautiful and talented daughter, Paxton Paisley (age 13). She treasured her family, but she also treasured every student that she taught in her seventeen years of teaching. Not only was she their "favorite" teacher, she was their friend and took pride and joy in teaching them math. She was their greatest cheerleader and celebrated them on every milestone and benchmark they accomplished. Kirby's dedication to her family and her teaching is evident by the love that her family, friends, students, and co-workers had for her. She has impacted so many and will be greatly missed.

Kirby grew up in Bailey, Mississippi and at a young age it was realized that she would be known as our "sunshine." She was a shining light to her family and to everyone she met. She also loved her Lord and Savior and it was evident by the life she lived. In her short life, she served in many capacities in her church with Sunday school and Bible school teacher among them. Even though our hearts are heavy, our spirits are lifted as we know that Kirby is in Heaven with her Heavenly Father.

Kirby was also an avid reader. She loved to curl up with a good book and would share her thoughts of her latest read with everyone - whether you were a reader or not. After reading a good book, she would insist that you read it too - because you would love it. She was even known to go and buy a hard copy of a book and present it to you. You would have no choice but to read the book so the two of you could talk about it later.

Kirby graduated from West Lauderdale High School with honors and competed on three State Championship softball teams. She received several awards for her outstanding play and was honored to be selected to participate in the MHSAA All Star softball game her senior year. She attended EMCC on a softball scholarship and then continued her education at MSU. She received her BS degree in elementary education with a focus in math.

Kirby had great compassion for all the children she taught. But she had a special gift and love for those students who struggled in their studies. This led her to purse a certification to teach and better understand those students with special needs. God gave her a special gift to teach and her classroom was her mission field. She was a "tell it like it is" person, but she was also a giver of grace. She left a legacy of positive words that will live in the hearts of her students forever.

In death, Kirby reunites with her paternal grandparent, Sarah Wilkinson Rutledge, and her maternal grandparents, Robert and Gloria Talbert Hughes.

She is survived by her husband Brandon Simmons; their daughter, Paxton Simmons; her parents, Kenneth and Judy Hughes Rutledge; her sister, Keely Followay and her husband, Jamie, along with their children, Lexy and Lakyn; her grandfather, Bobby Rutledge; her in-laws, Jerry and Awana Simmons; as well as many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Pallbearers will be the deacons of Pine Forest Baptist Church.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18 at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home. The family will also receive friends from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral service at Pine Forest Baptist Church of Collinsville.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the West Lauderdale Middle School PTO or to the Margaret Lackey State Missions Offering.

Kirby's memory will forever live in the hearts of her family, friends, and all those she touched. Her life will continue to inspire us. As we say our goodbyes, let's also celebrate the beautiful life she lived and the love she shared with us.