Mrs. Nita Jean Simmons Randle, 83, longtime resident of Starkville, MS, passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2015, with family members by her side.
Visitation will be at the Starkville First Presbyterian church Friday, April 24, from 4-6 p.m. with services Saturday at Starkville Presbyterian Church beginning at 11 a.m. and a graveside service following at Oktibbeha Memorial Gardens.
She is survived by her daughters, Nancy Randle Pevey (Ron) of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Leona Randle Fowler (Hampton) of Spring, Texas; her son, Marlin Davis Randle, Jr., of Jupiter, Florida; her brother Joseph Larry Simmons of Monroe, Louisiana: and her grandchildren, Sarah Katherine Pevey, Rebecca Pevey Whaley (Andrew), John Lockwood Pevey, Corey Brooks Fowler, Rachel Jean Fowler, Kristin Randle Dorroh and Marlin Davis Randle, III (Nakita), as well as by five great-grandchildren and many dear nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Oliver Simmons, her mother, Nita Packwood Simmons, of Tylertown, Mississippi, and her beloved husband, Marlin Davis Randle, Sr.
Mrs. Randle attended Florida State University where she was a member of Sigma Kappa before transferring to Mississippi State College for Women where she graduated in 1953 with a double major in music and mathematics, and her interest in both music and education continued throughout her life and enriched the lives of her family and community. After she obtained her degree, she taught eighth grade mathematics in Natchez, Mississippi, and later taught math at Starkville Academy.
On August 14, 1955, she married the love of her life, Marlin Davis Randle, Sr., and settled with him in Oktoc outside of Starkville, Mississippi. After his death in 1980, Mrs. Randle continued to manage the family dairy and maintained the family property as a tree farm and a beef cattle operation. Her hard work and expertise led to her recognition as Mississippi Tree Farmer of the Year. Her management skills, local community involvement, and love of the land gave valuable insight to serve her community representing all farmers/landowners as an elected member of the USDA/Oktibbeha County Farm Service Agency on the Community Committee and County Committee from 1986 through 2008. Her term included positions of regular member and vice chairman.
Mrs. Randle lived a life dedicated not only to her family, but also to her faith. She was deeply involved in First Presbyterian Church of Starkville and brought her educational skills to her roles there as a Sunday school teacher and a member of the Presbyterian Women, serving as circle chairman for a number of years. She was awarded by the Presbyterian Women the honor of a life membership in 2003. Her great gift of musicality also was dedicated to the church as she directed and accompanied the youth choir, sang with the adult choir, and served as the soloist for countless weddings and funerals. Her beloved church family faithfully kept her in its prayers in her later years after she moved to Texas to stay with her daughter Leona’s family while recovering from a serious stroke.
She brought the same energy and commitment to the Starkville community as she did to her church. A friendly and outgoing woman, she became a dedicated member of the Oktoc Community Club and the Oktoc Garden Club, where she was a song leader and hostess. She served the community as president of the Garden Club and was a member of the Board of Trustees for the Starkville-Oktibbeha County Public Library Systems for many years. One of her memorable contributions to the community was a personal and generous one of providing delicious food to persons in need as well as to her appreciative friends and neighbors. She was instrumental in starting the Oktoc Country Store in 1970 as a community fundraiser and she diligently provided foodstuffs to be sold along with area crafts.
Before her passing, Mrs. Randle asked her granddaughter Rebecca’s husband, the Rev. Andrew Whaley of First Presbyterian Church, Jefferson City, Tennessee, to conduct her funeral and for current pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Starkville, the Rev. Dr. Martin Lifer, and the Rev. Freddy Raspberry to be in attendance.
Her memorials of choice were French Camp Academy, One Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745 and Palmer Home, PO Box 746, Columbus, MS 39703, which are both dedicated to improving the lives of young people.