Obituary for Kirsten Dale Simons
God had special plans for Kirsten Dale Simons. She gained her wings and went to be wrapped in the arms of Jesus on March 20, 2020. Kirsten was born September 11, 2006 to Dwayne and Melissa Simons. She loved her family, friends, animals and music. Kirsten lived her whole life in Happy, Texas where she was a seventh grader at Happy Junior High School and served as Vice President of her class. Kirsten was a fierce competitor and loved athletics. She participated in basketball, cross country, track and UIL. She had a passion for basketball and was so glad to finally be old enough to be a Happy Cowgirl. She was also a cheerleader and played the saxophone in the band. She took pride in her schoolwork and was an A student. She earned 67 points for her school in UIL competition this year. Kirsten served the Lord daily and was an alter server at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Canyon.
Kirsten was in her sixth year as a member of the Happy 4-H Club in Swisher County. She loved 4-H and her favorite was showing steers. One of her goals for 4-H was to have her steer make the sale at a major stock show. She achieved that last year at Fort Worth with her steer, Blu. Kirsten was so excited that she wrote and recorded a song about her experience. She was a member of the Livestock Judging and Meats Judging teams. She was an active leader and chaired several large community service projects. She loved to help others. She also had projects in foods, (food challenge was so much fun), archery, photography and many others. She won the Youth Amateur Best of Show photograph award at the Tri State Fair this year. She was blessed to receive many awards through school, 4-H and basketball, but she was most proud of the friendships she gained.
Kirsten had a happy, loving, bubbly personality. She lit up a room when she entered it and always flashed her contagious smile. She cared deeply for others and was a true and loyal friend. Friendships came easily to Kirsten and she made friends wherever she went. Not just from Happy, but from all over the Panhandle and High Plains through her multitude of activities. She was very opinionated but was willing to listen to a different point of view. She stood up for what she believed in and would not tolerate a bully or a “mean” person. She was never afraid to voice her opinion if she felt you were wrong. Kirsten loved her family and was so proud of her older sister. She loved her dog, Dusti. Kirsten had big dreams for her future, wanting to attend Notre Dame.
Kirsten is survived by her parents, Dwayne and Melissa Simons of Happy; sister Lauren Picon, of Lubbock; maternal grandmother Manuela Saenz of Lubbock; paternal grandparents Larry and Skip Simons of Happy; uncle Julian (Nancy) Martinez of Slayton; aunt Becky (Mario) Guererro of Lubbock; aunt Tricia (David) Placencia of Lubbock; uncle Clay (Sharon) Simons of Lincolnville, Kansas; aunt Megan (Dan) Horton of Shallowater, and her beloved dog Dusti. Kirsten is also survived by her precious friends, the Happy junior high seventh grade, her basketball buddies, her 4-H family and many cousins, great aunts and uncles and a multitude of other friends.
Due to Covid-19, a private rosary will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon. Private graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 26, 2020 at Happy Cemetery in Happy. When the restrictions are lifted a “Celebration of Life” will be held for family and friends in honor of Kirsten. A scholarship fund will be established at the Happy State Bank in memory of Kirsten.
Kirsten’s family and friends are forever grateful we were blessed to share her life for thirteen years. We take comfort in the thought that she was doing something she loved and that after flying through the air her soul continued its journey to be with Jesus. Fly high, beautiful girl, fly high. You were greatly loved and will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.
Kirsten was in her sixth year as a member of the Happy 4-H Club in Swisher County. She loved 4-H and her favorite was showing steers. One of her goals for 4-H was to have her steer make the sale at a major stock show. She achieved that last year at Fort Worth with her steer, Blu. Kirsten was so excited that she wrote and recorded a song about her experience. She was a member of the Livestock Judging and Meats Judging teams. She was an active leader and chaired several large community service projects. She loved to help others. She also had projects in foods, (food challenge was so much fun), archery, photography and many others. She won the Youth Amateur Best of Show photograph award at the Tri State Fair this year. She was blessed to receive many awards through school, 4-H and basketball, but she was most proud of the friendships she gained.
Kirsten had a happy, loving, bubbly personality. She lit up a room when she entered it and always flashed her contagious smile. She cared deeply for others and was a true and loyal friend. Friendships came easily to Kirsten and she made friends wherever she went. Not just from Happy, but from all over the Panhandle and High Plains through her multitude of activities. She was very opinionated but was willing to listen to a different point of view. She stood up for what she believed in and would not tolerate a bully or a “mean” person. She was never afraid to voice her opinion if she felt you were wrong. Kirsten loved her family and was so proud of her older sister. She loved her dog, Dusti. Kirsten had big dreams for her future, wanting to attend Notre Dame.
Kirsten is survived by her parents, Dwayne and Melissa Simons of Happy; sister Lauren Picon, of Lubbock; maternal grandmother Manuela Saenz of Lubbock; paternal grandparents Larry and Skip Simons of Happy; uncle Julian (Nancy) Martinez of Slayton; aunt Becky (Mario) Guererro of Lubbock; aunt Tricia (David) Placencia of Lubbock; uncle Clay (Sharon) Simons of Lincolnville, Kansas; aunt Megan (Dan) Horton of Shallowater, and her beloved dog Dusti. Kirsten is also survived by her precious friends, the Happy junior high seventh grade, her basketball buddies, her 4-H family and many cousins, great aunts and uncles and a multitude of other friends.
Due to Covid-19, a private rosary will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon. Private graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 26, 2020 at Happy Cemetery in Happy. When the restrictions are lifted a “Celebration of Life” will be held for family and friends in honor of Kirsten. A scholarship fund will be established at the Happy State Bank in memory of Kirsten.
Kirsten’s family and friends are forever grateful we were blessed to share her life for thirteen years. We take comfort in the thought that she was doing something she loved and that after flying through the air her soul continued its journey to be with Jesus. Fly high, beautiful girl, fly high. You were greatly loved and will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.