Kathi Gabriella Renee’ ‘Kat’ Simons

She was born April 29, 1961, at Elkins, a daughter of Georgia Lu Godin Simons of Montrose and the late William Ray Simons.

Also surviving is her half-sister, Benita Kay of North Carolina; two aunts, Gina Simons of Montrose and Wilma Zirkle of Huttonsville; and cousins, Jeanne Rohrbaugh of Huttonsville and Brian Simons and wife, Laura, of Montrose.

Kathi was a 1979 graduate of Elkins High School and a graduate of Davis & Elkins College with a B.S. Degree in Communications. It was during her time at Davis & Elkins that she was introduced to radio and became a deejay on the college radio station. She continued her career at radio station WDNE in Elkins for several years and the Outer Banks before moving to Virginia, where she continued her career as a midday deejay over the airways of Virginia radio on Richmond’s Mix 98.1 for over 25 years. During her radio career, some of her shows were simulcasted through many different radio stations in Virginia and Florida. Kat’s affection for animals blossomed early on her family’s farm. Her dog, Stevie, her bird, Gracie and her cherished cats were testament to her generous spirit. One of Kat’s segments on the radio was “Pet of the Day” which helped raise thousands of dollars towards aiding animals. Her work didn’t stop with radio, she was a heavily involved member of her community, taking part in helping several charity organizations including Richmond and Hanover ARC, Down Syndrome, Relay for Life, the VA, USO, the Alzheimer’s Association, Arthritis Association, SPARC, Faison, Children’s Hospital, the READ Center, and the Diabetes Association. She was a member of Elizabeth City, NC Order of the Eastern Star and of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Midlothian, Virginia.

Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Maplewood Cemetery in Elkins with Rev. Bill Riffee officiating.

Interment will follow.

The family requests flowers be omitted and memorial contributions be made to a local humane society of choice, the National Down Syndrome Society, 1155 15th Street, NW, Suite 540, Washington, DC 200005 or Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, FL, 17, Chicago, IL 60601 in memory of Kathi.

The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Kathi Gabriella Renee’ “Kat” Simons.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.