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Gwynne Sims Simnitt, passed peacefully on January 27, 2026, at the beautiful age of 93 in Georgetown, Texas. Gwynne was born on August 15, 1932, on a farm in Collin County, Texas, near Fort Worth, to Homer Roy and Frankie Lora Sims. Her loving parents doted on her and supported her in everything she did. Gwynne cherished her childhood, growing up on the farm and attending a two-room country schoolhouse. When Gwynne was a teenager, her family moved from the farm to the town of Grand Prairie, Texas. At Grand Prairie High School, she was a cheerleader for the Gophers. The name embroidered on her cheerleader jacket— “Red”—referred to the striking color of her hair, not to mention her fiery personality. After graduating high school in 1949, Gwynne attended Arlington State College. She made many wonderful memories there as a cheerleader and member of the social club Avolonte. Because of her sweet and generous spirit, Gwynne was selected as Class Favorite and Homecoming Queen. She loved people, and it showed in the rich relationships she developed throughout her college years. In 1951, Gwynne transferred to The University of Texas at Austin. She graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. One of her favorite college memories was a special P.E. class that included horseback riding. Gwynne loved the long horseback rides up Mount Bonnell ending with fantastic views of Lake Austin. Gwynne was always a proud Longhorn, even in recent years, she would flash her “Hook ’Em Horns,” alongside her son-in-law, Jack. Gwynne met Max William Simnitt in 1950 while they were both attending Arlington State College. Max was smitten with Gwynne from the moment he met her. It took a few years for him to catch her, but on June 23, 1956, the college sweethearts were married. They shared 61 years of marriage and spent most of their life together in San Antonio. They had two children, Maxie and Lori, whom Gwynne fiercely loved. She was always supporting her children at tap and jazz recitals, piano recitals, baseball, basketball, and football games, dance competitions, and Camp Fire Girls. You name it, she was there. Gwynne stayed home for ten years to care for her young children. During those years, she joined a garden club and bowling league and enjoyed precious time with her kids. These were sweet years. The early years of Gwynne’s teaching career were spent in Arlington and Austin Independent School Districts. The majority of her career was spent teaching fourth graders at J.B. Passmore and Oak Hills Terrace Elementary Schools in Northside Independent School District in San Antonio. While working for Northside I.S.D., Gwynne was awarded Outstanding Teacher of the Year for the 1979-1980 school year. After a decade of teaching precious bicultural children in San Antonio, Gwynne decided to study bilingual education so she could better serve her students. While continuing to teach full time, Gwynne earned her Master’s Degree in Bilingual Education in 1987 from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. It was a challenging degree to earn, but Gwynne’s perseverance paid off. Gwynne retired in 2001, completing an extraordinary 37-year teaching career that blessed countless students. Gwynne was a beloved teacher—passionate, committed, and creative. In 2004, Gwynne and Max moved to their dream home in Boerne, Texas. They enjoyed their country home for twelve years before relocating to the Austin area to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law. Gwynne spent the last few years of her life at Tiffin House Assisted Living and Memory Care in Georgetown, Texas. The care and love she received from the caregivers and medical staff at Tiffin House and from Suncrest Hospice was simply amazing. Let it be known—angels truly walk the halls of Tiffin House, and our family will be forever grateful. Gwynne laughed easily. She had a silly sense of humor, much like her daddy, Homer. She was passionate about life and deeply devoted to the people around her. Gwynne was dedicated to her family, friends, and students. She was a devoted daughter, taking great care of her parents and showering them with love until the end of their lives. As “Gigi,” she adored her grandchildren and would have delighted in playing with her great-grandchildren. Gwynne was a blessing to her family and to all who knew her. Our world is a better place because of Gwynne. Gwynne will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Lora Simnitt Green, son-in-law Jack and grandson Jackson; her son Max William Simnitt, Jr., daughter-in-law Susan and grandchildren Travis Simnitt, Leah Evetts, Callie Flores; great grandchildren Emma and Shepherd Evetts and Harper Simnitt and sister Lou Lynn Fanning. Gwynne was predeceased by her husband, Max William Simnitt, Sr. and her great-granddaughter, Eleanor Joy Evetts. Memorial Service will be on Saturday, February 14 at 10:00 am at Leon Springs Baptist Church, 24133 Boerne Stage Road, San Antonio, Texas 78255. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made, in Gwynne’s honor, to the Education Department at Manos de Cristo , 4911 Harmon Ave., Austin, Texas 78751

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Gwynne Sims Simnitt

August 15, 1932 - January 27, 2026