Mary Elizabeth "Bessie" Simonds was one of 3 children born to Charles Joshua "Charley" Simonds and Ida C. Adams Simonds.

She had two brothers, Ed P. Simonds and Wade Simonds.

She was born in Nantahala Township of Swain County, North Carolina on October 1, 1895 .

In 1900 her family (parents and siblings) were living in Nantahala Twp of Swain County, NC.

She married William Leander "Will" Grant on December 12, 1909 at Hewitts in Swain County, North Carolina. The marriage record says Willie Grant to Bessie Simonds. The officiant was R.M. Lee, Justice of the Peace. It is hard to read the handwriting to see who witnessed the wedding but it looks like: "M.O. Bames, R.M. Grant, J.T. Queen." (If you think you can decipher it let me know. It also shows the groom if Macon County and the Bride of Swain County.

The 1910 Census shows them living at Briartown in Macon County.

The Census for 1920 and 1930 shows them living in Nantahala, Macon County, NC, in the area close to the Swain County line judging by the neighbor's surnames.

Before 1935 the family moved to Bessemer City, Gaston County, NC where they are also in 1940.

Later on the family moved to Florida. Bessie died September 14, 1965 in Florida. Her last address was in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Willie or "Will" died May 12, 1968 in Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, NC.

They are buried at Briartown Baptist Church Cemetery at Aquone in Macon County, NC.

They had raised several children together, including these:

Wade William Grant

Olsen Alexander Grant

James Burles Grant

Vernal Hugh Grant

Euline Grant Carpenter*

Hershel Warren Grant

Doris Grant Pierce*

Odell William Grant

Marshall Garnet Grant

George Edward Grant

Norma Jean Grant Waddell*

Aubrey Bessie Grant Reinhardt*

If you see errors in their children's names, please use the edit feature and I'll fix them, Thanks!

*Mountain Links*

Her Obituary appeared in The Palm Beach Post , West Palm Beach, Florida, 15 Sep 1965, p. 22

MRS. MARY BESSIE GRANT

Mrs. Mary Bessie Grant, 69, of 4567 Okeechobee Road, West Palm Beach, died Tuesday. Survivors Include her husband, Will L. Grant of West Palm Beach: seven sons, George E. of West Palm Beach, H. W. of Boca Raton, Wade W, Vernal H., and Odel W., all of Bessemer City, N.C., Olson A. of Flats, N.C. and Marshall G. of Memphis, Tenn.; four daughters, Mrs. Norma Waddell and Mrs. Aubrey Reinhardt, both of West Palm Beach; Mrs. Eulean Carpenter and Mrs. Doris Pierce, both of Bessemer City, N.C; 33 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Arrangements will be announced by Tillman Funeral Home, West Palm Beach.

Biography: Mountain Links