Brookneal………Ella Mae Simerly, age 83 of Brookneal formerly of Altavista died Monday, May 27, 2019 at Heritage Hall in Brookneal.

Born May 19, 1936 in Pittsylvania County, she was a daughter of the late William Keesee and Lola Mae Farmer Keesee.  She was predeceased by her husband, Mack Edward Simerly; and two sisters, Amelia Lumpkins, and Mary Jane Fox.  Ella Mae was a retired bookkeeper for the Department of Mental Health for the state of Virginia, and a former Notary.  She was a graduate of Renan High School where she was a member of the Beta Club.  She enjoyed life, gardening, and spending time with her family.

She is survived by one son, Ronald Simerly and wife, Lydia of Lynchburg; two brothers, Edward Keesee and wife, Mary Jane of Hurt; Larry Ray Keesee of Hurt; three sisters, Joyce Owens of New Carrollton, MD, Jennie Lee Creasy and husband, Paul of Hurt, and Carol Faye Blount of Durham, NC; one brother-in-law, Oscar Monroe Fox of Hurt; one granddaughter, Amber Elizabeth Maggollica; and one great-grandson, Greyson Maggollica.

Graveside services will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 6, 2019 at Green Hill Cemetery by Mike Whorley.

Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.colbertmoran.com.