Elizabeth Jo "Betty Jo" Simms died at Nazareth Home Memory Care on Sept. 23, 2016, after enduring Alzheimer's Disease for 11 years.  Her children would like to thank the doctors, nurses, aides and extended family/friends who took such special care of Betty Jo over the past years.  She was born on Aug. 6, 1935, in Loretto, to Bud and Bessie Thompson. She married her high school sweetheart, Charles "Louis" Simms Sr., on June 25, 1952. They lived happily in Loretto for more than 50 years, where they built a loving home and raised a large family. Their last 20 years together were spent in Bardstown. Betty Jo was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 63 years, Louis Simms, and infant twins, Susan and Joseph Simms. Her cherished memory will live in the hearts of her children: Mary Ann Sloane, Karen Glass (Gary), Betty Richards, Patty Cloyd (Gary), Joan Hawkins (Danny), Charles Louis Simms Jr. (Rebecca), Louise Lamb (Don), Lynn Allen (Tony) and Laura Jo Nopper (Greg). She is also survived by her beloved 17 grandchildren: Casey and Kelli Sloane, Brian Glass, Mattie and Megan Richards, Ben and Andy Cloyd, Daniel and Sarah Hawkins, Louis III and Kevin Simms, Luke and Holly Lamb, Sophie and Sadie Allen, Nick and Nate Nopper; two great grandchildren: Daniel Hawkins III and Charlotte Brynn Glass; sisters Mary Thompson and Susan Ballard; and all her Simms sisters and brothers-in-law.Betty Jo was a homemaker who loved to cook, read, bowl, garden, sew, shop and rock babies. Her greatest joy was her family, for whom she created an atmosphere of love never to be duplicated. She was devoted to her Catholic faith, daily prayer and the Rosary.  She was truly blessed and a blessing to others, and now has found eternal peace. A Mass of Christian burial is at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26, at the Basilica of Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral, 310 West Stephen Foster Ave., Bardstown, with interment in St. Joseph Cemetery. The Revs. Bill Hammer and Joseph Batcheldor will concelebrate.Visitation is Sunday, Sept. 25, from 3 to 8 p.m., with a prayer service at 6 p.m., and Mon. Sept. 26, from 9 to 10:15 a.m. at Barlow Funeral Home, 2675 E. John Rowan Blvd., Bardstown.The family requests expression of sympathy in the form of contributions to the , 6100 Dutchmans Lane, Suite 401, Louisville, KY 40205. Mattingly Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.