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A resolution honoring the life and service of Kay Louise Snyder Simmons.
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WHEREAS, Kay Louise Snyder Simmons passed away on November 12, 2021 at the age of 72 after a longtime battle with progressive supranuclear palsy; and
WHEREAS, Simmons was born in Louisville, Kentucky and attended Assumption High School and Seneca High School, where she graduated in 1967; and
WHEREAS, Simmons earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations from the University of Kentucky in 1971; and
WHEREAS, Simmons met the love of her life, her husband of 50 years, Keith Simmons, during her time at the University of Kentucky; and
WHEREAS, Simmons had a long and successful career working as a development officer at Vanderbilt Law School, Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt Medical Center (VUMC), Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Montgomery Bell Academy, University School of Nashville, and Metro Nashville Public Schools; and
WHEREAS, she was also the founding executive director of the Canby Robinson Society at VUMC and sat on the Dean’s Council at Vanderbilt Law School; and
WHEREAS, although she was not an educator by profession, she was elected by the University School Board to serve as Interim Head of School for the 1990-1991 academic year; and
WHEREAS, it was at University School where Simmons found her passion for education and helping young people, which led her to become more involved in public education; and
WHEREAS, in 2003, Simmons became the founding executive director of the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, now known as the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF); and
WHEREAS, at NPEF’s 2022 Public Schools Hall of Fame event, they posthumously honored Simmons with the Nelson C. Andrews Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her incredible career and service to the people and schools of Nashville; and
WHEREAS, in 2007 and 2008, Simmons served as Special Assistant to the Director of Metro Nashville Public Schools; and
WHEREAS, from 2009 to 2012, Simmons represented District 9 on Metro Nashville’s Board of Education; and
WHEREAS, Simmons was an active volunteer and served on many government and nonprofit boards and commissions including The LandTrust for Tennessee, Greenways for Nashville, Metro’s Greenways and Open Space Commission, the International Storytelling Center, the Maddox Charitable Fund, the Adventure Science Center, Metro Parks and Recreation, Metro Historical Commission, and accreditation committees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; and
WHEREAS, Simmons was a dedicated neighborhood leader and chaired the Cultural and Natural Resources Committee of the City of Forest Hills, identifying ways to improve the appearance of roadways and public spaces, and monitoring the maintenance and preservation of the City’s parks and green spaces, stone walls, and cemeteries; and
WHEREAS, Simmons was a resident of the Richland - West End Neighborhood for three decades and her initiatives helped build a close-knit community among neighbors and a safe place for children to play by hosting block parties, turning the neighborhood into “Halloween Central” with pumpkin displays, and single-handedly stopping speeding drivers; and
WHEREAS, she was a long-time active parishioner of Christ Church Cathedral, the Cathedral Parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee, where she served on the vestry and various committees; and
WHEREAS, Simmons was known to be an accomplished reader, cook, a consummate professional, and an exemplary mother, wife, grandmother, sister, and daughter who will be dearly missed by many friends and family; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council honors the life of Kay Louise Snyder Simmons and recognizes her many years of service to Nashville’s community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as honoring the life and service of Kay Louise Snyder Simmons.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.