Malda Eugenia Corley Simmons

Eugenia Simmons, 100, of Macon, Georgia died on December 8, 2025. She was born in Macon, Georgia to parents Robert M. and Malda Eugenia Corley. She attended A.L. Miller High School, graduating in 1943, before receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts, Cum Laude, at Wesleyan College, studying under the famed Emil Holzheizer who was of the Ash Can Movement in New York City. 

After teaching private arts classes from her studio to all ages and in several medias for twenty years, she decided in 1981 to concentrate on watercolor, teaching workshops in Georgia and Alabama, and entering national competitions. Her paintings were juried into national exhibitions in museums and art centers across 17 states. Such prestigious national exhibitions as the National Arts Club Annual, Allied Artists of America, Knickerbocker Artists, American Artists Professional League, Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, all in New York City, and the LaGrange National in Georgia are a few of those which included her work. Some of her national awards include: The Hal Broasted Memorial Award, Midwest Watercolor Society National; General Electric Award, Kentucky Watercolor Society National; Merit Award, Georgia Watercolor Society Members Show;, Albany Museum of Art in Georgia; and many more.

Eugenia would meet the love of her life, Herbert Elmo “Smokey” Simmons, on a blind date through their lifelong friends Dean and Earl Zimmerman. She joked that she thought he was dead from being a POW in WWII prior to their introduction. Eugenia and Smokey would go on to have two children: John and Gena. Eugenia would be home with them throughout Smokey’s career in the Air Force Reserves, which took him to Korea for the Korean Conflict, and later his career at 13WMAZ. She used to say that she loved the tv show Mad Men because it reminded her of their time at 13WMAZ. During this time, she would join “THE Garden Club” (the writers of this obituary think it could have been the Hillandale Garden Club but are unsure because she only referred to it as “THE Garden Club”), the Middle Georgia Art Association, and others. During her time as Chairman of the Middle Georgia Art Association’s Winter Arts Festival she spearheaded their move from Westgate Shopping Center to the Macon Mall, going on to get the Macon Mall to buy that exhibit’s Best in Show winning artwork and donating it to the Museum of Arts and Sciences. She would also assist in the research for the Cherokee Heights Historic District.

Eugenia was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, frequently telling any bishop- or other visiting presider- that her great grandchildren (while they still attended St. Paul’s) were “5th generation members of St. Paul’s”- whether said bishop wanted to hear it or not. While Eugenia loved also being a grandparent to Richard and Molly, and later a great-grandmother to Bishop, Lily Kate, and Candler, her artwork was always her passion. She was a well-known painter “whose works reflect a great sense of beauty and love of history” (the late Georgia Senator Oliver Bateman).

Eugenia Simmons is survived by her children Gena (Richard) McWilliams, John Simmons; her grandchildren Molly Wilkins, Richard (Kelly) McWilliams; and her great-grandchildren Bishop, Lily Kate, and Candler Wilkins. Special thanks to the staff of Brightmoor Hospice and Alexander IV for their loving care.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s on Cherry Street, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 765 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201 has charge of the arrangements.