Vanessa “Polly” Elaine Simms, 52, passed away from Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer on April 27, 2025, in Temple, Texas, surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was born on July 27, 1972, in San Antonio, Texas. Vanessa is survived by her devoted husband of 30 years, Terry Simms, and their four beloved children: Shylah Marie Simms, Brianna Nicole Brittell, Josiah Simms, and Joshua Simms. She is also survived by her parents, Dorothy Marie Cochran and Postelle Cochran; her siblings, Cynthia Caldwell, Craig Cochran, Tanya Stalker, Reuben Cochran, and Eric Cochran; as well as countless nieces, nephews, and extended family members. A public Celebration of Life will be held at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, 1599 E. Sycamore St., Kokomo, Indiana, on Saturday, May 10th. The visitation is from 9-11 a.m. EDT followed by the service from 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT. A repass in the church community center will occur at the conclusion of the event. The Celebration of Life will be live-streamed on the Eddy Funeral Homes, Inc. Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/eddyfuneralhomes. Separately, the public portion of the military burial service will be on Monday, May 12th, from 11 to 11:30 a.m. EDT. with the lowering of the casket (for immediate family only) following that service. Military funeral location is Marion National Cemetery, 1700 E. 38th St., Marion, IN. Vanessa had an extraordinary passion for life, which was evident in her numerous endeavors starting as far back as high school. She graduated from Peru High School in Peru, Indiana, in 1991, where she excelled in sports including volleyball, basketball, track and field, and bowling. Serving as class president, she was beloved by her classmates. After high school, Vanessa attended Central State University, Wilberforce, OH, on a volleyball scholarship. During her time there, Vanessa was involved in campus organizations like Delta Sigma Theta, Army ROTC, and many others. She was even crowned Miss Central State University for 1994-95. Following graduation in 1995, she married her college sweetheart, Terry Simms, CSU class of 1994. Upon receiving a commission as a U.S. Army officer in 1995, she served for five years on active duty and then several more years in the Army National Guard; attaining the rank of Major before leaving military service. Besides military service, she was a real estate agent and Team Leader with Keller Williams as well as a dedicated school teacher at various institutions. Most notably, she held a teaching position at an International School in Seoul, South Korea and culminated her teaching career at Gospel of Grace Christian School in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania. Vanessa was a beloved science teacher there, adored by her students. Above all, Vanessa’s greatest role was as a mother to her four children. Whether attending their events, coaching them, cheering them on from the sidelines, or recently homeschooling her two young boys (even through the progression of her disease), she was her children’s biggest supporter. Her friends often described her as a cheerleader for life, always ready to listen and offer encouragement. Many of her friends considered themselves her “best friend,” as she made time for everyone and ensured each person felt special. Being surrounded by family and friends brought her immense joy every day. An avid runner, Vanessa completed over fifty half and full marathons, as well as countless other smaller running events. She actively participated in several running groups in the various areas she lived, including the Stroller Warriors Running Club, Fleet Feet, and South Wind Runners. She was a shining light for fellow runners; even walking with her running club up until the last weeks of her disease because she could no longer run as before. Vanessa was an encourager, a motivator, and most importantly a believer in Jesus Christ. As a child of God, she dedicated her life to demonstrating His love and kindness in all she did. Her loving heart and infectious smile inspired all those fortunate enough to meet her. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Vanessa’s preferred organization - her beloved former School, Gospel of Grace Christian School. This is a small private Christian school that honors Jesus, but operates with very limited resources. You can one-time donate here: https://pushpay.com/g/ggchristianschool. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can donate to Baylor Scott and White Health in Temple, TX in support of metastatic breast cancer research. A general donation link can be found here: https://ctxfoundation.bswhealth.com/ways-to-give/