Mary “Molly” Helen (Gilpin) Symmonds

Mary Helen “Molly” Symmonds, 94, of Keokuk, Iowa, passed peacefully from her granddaughter’s loving arms into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with other family members by her side at just past 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Montrose Health Center in Montrose, Iowa. She had fought the good fight. She had finished the race.

Mary was born on February 23, 1931, to Earl and Lola Morrisey Gilpin in Keokuk Iowa. The third of four children she displayed her Christ like servant’s heart as she cared for her bedridden mother in her parent’s home until her passing, and then later cared for her father until his passing.

At the age of twenty-two, she married Ray Gene “Red” Symmonds of Hamilton. To their marriage they welcomed four sons, who survive them: John (Nancy) Symmonds, Ronald “Butch” (Janet) Symmonds, Jerry Symmonds and Robert (Bob) Symmonds, all of Keokuk. Although their marriage ended, Mary and Red had a loving relationship until his passing on January 15, 2010.

Mary is also survived by seven grandchildren and their spouses, twelve great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild: Kelly Symmonds (Kyndall of Ft. Madison, Iowa and Nevaeh and her son, great-great grandson Amari Okra; Brean (Andrew) Small and their twin daughters Brooklyn and Samantha of Colorado; Brandon Symmonds (Lexie and Gentry); Jaime (Jeff) Bair and their four children Jeffery Ryan, Jackson, Julianna, and Jaidyn “Little Mary”; Christopher Symmonds of Ottumwa, Iowa (Noah); and John Michael (Cailyn Spiker) Symmonds (their son Janson “Lil Red” Symmonds); and Jennifer Symmonds of Arkansas; and many nieces, nephews and their children, and grandchildren. Especially close to her was her nephew Jack (Bonnie) Gilpin. She is also survived by her former daughters-in-law Lori Bloom and Charlene Symmonds. Two very special women, Alice Jean Symmonds Hartweg and Faye Symmonds Rairden, survive as well.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and former husband, and all her siblings; Barbara (Clarence “June” Coovert, Earl “Jack” (Audrey) Gilpin, and Donald “Donnie” (Frances “Frankie”) Gilpin, in addition to her son Bob’s fiancee Norine Jobe.

Until recent years she enjoyed traveling to Branson with friends and doing puzzles in the hallway with her friend Evelyn Feil at the apartment complex where they lived across the hall from each other. She read and studied her Bible daily until her vision made it difficult.

There are no words to express our gratitude for the Montrose Health Center administration, nursing staff, aides, nutrition staff, housekeeping and maintenance staff, activities director, other residents, and hospice providers. They loved Mary and kept her safe when we no longer could and loved not only her, but us as family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at Printy Funeral Home, 917 Blondeau Street, Keokuk, Iowa, with burial to follow at Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 27, from 2 to 7 pm, with family meeting friends from 5 to 7 pm at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to Little Red Basket in care of the Keokuk Police Department or the Montrose Health Center Activity Fund.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.