I’m sharing here the tribute to my sweet friend that I published earlier this week on Facebook and Instagram….
On Tuesday night I learned that one of the women in my local writers’ group had passed away suddenly. Stacy Simmons had surgery a week and a half ago. This past Friday, I texted her to check on her and she responded right away, saying that she was doing well and hoping to be released from the hospital that day. Sure enough, later on Friday she was sent home to recover. Our group met without her Monday night, talked about how glad we were that all indications were that she was doing well and healing, and prayed over her. The next evening a family member posted that she’d died from complications from surgery. The news is a gut-punch to all of us.
Our group has been meeting here in the Dallas area for more than five years and we were so very blessed by Stacy’s involvement and friendship. She loved the writing community and took great joy in knowing and encouraging and supporting fellow writers. Her feed is filled with posts that spread the word about other people’s books. That was Stacy — humble, gentle, sweet, funny, happy, focused on others.
The words I heard her say the most often across the years were, “Thank you.” Second to that, she’d often use the term “book baby” for her current manuscript. She’d joke in her self-deprecating way and say, “My book baby is ugly y’all,” then laugh. But in everyone else’s “book babies” she saw beauty and skill. She valued people and she valued Christian fiction and she valued her beloved husband and daughters.
Stacy’s passing gives me an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate all the writers, like Stacy, who feel called by God to write fiction for His glory. And spend years and untold hours doing just that. I’m thankful that Stacy’s debut book, A Promise for Faith, released this past January. Her novella collection released the day before her surgery. And her next book is scheduled to release this coming January. The timing was such that Stacy was able to experience the joy and achievement of seeing her work in print before going home to Heaven. She brought honor to the Lord through her creativity, obedience, and dedication. And she was a kind-hearted friend to many.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
I’ll leave you with these words from Stacy’s husband Michael, “My message to everyone is don’t get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Don’t forget to stop and tell your loved ones “I love you”, give a kiss and hug. I so wish that I had that opportunity to give her one more hug and kiss.”
Becky Wade
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What a beautiful tribute, Becky. I didn’t know Stacy well, but I was so sorry to hear this news earlier this week and it was clear from the shock and sadness expressed what a great loss this was to her friends and family. Praying for them as they grieve such a deep loss.
It meant a lot to me to see the outpouring of affection for Stacy in the Christian fiction community. She was encouraging dozens and dozens of writers — even more than I’d realized.
So sad to lose a dear friend. Prayers of comfort for her family and friends.
Thank you, Carol.
Such a wonderful tribute to your friend! Thank you for sharing the wise words from her husband. Praying for all who knew her and are grieving.
Her husband’s words struck me as so wise and true. That’s a reminder we can’t hear enough.
It shocked and saddened me to hear of Stacy’s loss. It also prompted me to order her novel published earlier this year. I’m glad her faith can live on in the pages of the books she wrote. Prayers for her family and friends.
“I’m glad her faith can live on in the pages of the books she wrote.” Yes! I’m so very glad for that, too.
I didn’t have the honor of knowing Stacy as well as you did, Becky, but my interactions were her were always so filled with light, love, and encouragement. I met her in person at ACFW a few years ago and will treasure that memory forever. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post. She was such a precious soul, and the world will be a little dimmer without her shining light.
I’m glad you were able to meet her, Karen. She was an encourager through and through.
Even though I didn’t know Stacy, I have grieved with all of my friends here in the area who were close to her.
She had such a large impact on the writers in our area!
Becky, I didn’t know Stacy as you did, but as the news moved through writer groups, it was clear that she was beloved by many. I can only be thankful that we do not grieve the same way as those who have no hope.
Yes! She was a friend to many.
Lovely tribute to Stacy, a person that made a difference!!!! I love what Michael said, it is so true that we get caught up in “things” and forget to tell others how much they mean to us.
Yes!
So very Sorry for all Hugs Love and Prayers coming for Stacy’s Family and Friends!
Thank you, Sarah.
Thank you for writing this beautiful post about beautiful Stacy. She was a member of the small ACFW critique group I joined five years ago. Stacy was always one of the first to respond with a critique and always with the most encouraging comments. We became good friends although our only opportunities to meet in person were at conference. On Tuesday, before she went in for surgery, the Lord prompted me to send her a scripture. She replied with her usual graciousness. I can’t believe those are the last words I’ll ever receive from her. Truly a precious soul, Stacy was a light in the community and an example for us all.