CHARLESTON, SC—Annelise Ware Simmons, 78, was killed March 26, 2026, when struck by a motor vehicle while on her morning walk in downtown Charleston.
Born July 9, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Robert Latané Ware of Richmond, and Madeleine Lucie Louise Bresch Ware of Rouen, France.
Annelise graduated from Douglas Freeman High School in Richmond and Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C. She dedicated her career to early childhood education, teaching at Goodwin Elementary School and later at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church Kindergarten in Charleston. As a teacher and volunteer for 36 years, she touched the lives of many young students.
She was a member of the Rappahannock Christian Church in Dunnsville and the French Huguenot Church in Charleston. Annelise volunteered at the Roper/St. Francis Cancer Center to help with chemotherapy patient care. She was a member of the Lettice Lee Chapter of the Colonial Dames and the Rebecca Motte Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Active in the community, she was passionate about her grandchildren and physical fitness, having just returned from a family trip to Disney World and a week-long ski trip in Utah.
Her daily routine involved lengthy morning walks throughout downtown Charleston, as well as running a bed and breakfast in her home.
Annelise is survived by her husband of 49 years, Dr. Jack Warren Simmons Jr., and her children, Suzannah Latané Simmons (Alexander Saify), Jack Warren Simmons III (Jen), Chilton Stocker Edwards Simmons (Rachael) and Robert Latané Ware Simmons; her twin sister, Suzanne Ware Meade; nephew, Thomas Latané Meade; nieces, Simonne Bresch Meade, Beth Ware Katona and Lucy Ware McCarthy; and grandchildren, Alden Bryce Simmons, Anahita Madeleine Simmons Saify, Catesby Osborne Simmons, Maren Bresch Simmons and Robinson Renken Simmons.
She was predeceased by her sister, Elizabeth “Betsy” Ware; and nephew, Henry “Harry” Neill Ware Jr.
A memorial service officiated by Reverend Trudy Betts, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at Rappahannock Christian Church, 339 Dunnsville Road, Dunnsville, followed by the inurnment in the church cemetery and a local reception to be announced during the service. Festive attire is encouraged.
In memory of Annelise, memorial contributions may be made to Roper St. Francis Foundation for “chemo patients;” Lustgarten Foundation, “the largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research in the world,” for “pancreatic cancer cure research and early detection;” Charleston Moves, for “pedestrian safety particularly for King and Broad streets.”
Annelise was a pancreatic cancer survivor, who volunteered at the chemo ward of Roper St. Francis. Given this tragedy and similar occurrences, pedestrian safety must be improved. May her memory be eternal.
Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home & Crematory.
