Monty Simmons Leitch, 66, of Floyd County, died Wednesday, December 14. She was the daughter of the late William Montague Simmons and Patrica Painter Simmons of Fincastle, VA. Monty is survived by her husband Marshall and his family, her sister and brother-in-law Patsy and David Dickerson and her brother and sister-in-law Willie and Brenda Simmons. Aunty Monty, as she was lovingly known, is also survived by her nephews and niece and their partners Hunter and Meredith Simmons, Patrick Dickerson and Ariel Hendrickson, William and Kyleen Dickerson, Leeann Dickerson and Scott Crews, and Allen Marshall Dickerson. Monty graduated from Hollins College in 1973 and later earned an MFA in writing from the same institution. In 1975 she moved to Floyd County to live with Marshall in a remodeled old farm house that has been her home ever since. In the 1970s and 1980s she worked in editing and writing for The Roanoke Times, in public relations for Radford College, and in development and teaching for Roanoke College. Monty had many skills and interests beyond her work life. She was a bible scholar, a student of spirituality, a writer, and a seamstress. She wrote five novels. For 30 years she wrote a popular column of personal reflections for the Roanoke Times. She was perhaps most skilled at friendship. Monty had dozens of close friends. She had known some of her friends since childhood, others only for a few months, but she made them all feel like best friends. She had college friends, writer friends, church friends, book reading friends, sewing friends, and groups of friends who defied any categorization. Monty loved children and had a special gift for capturing their attention and earning their trust. She was never restrained by self-consciousness or embarrassment. She spoke her mind always, she laughed out loud always, she was generous always. She loved her cats, generations of them, and named them after favorite characters in books. She loved Wild Turkey bourbon, swimming class, and sleeping on the screened porch at her family's cabin on Craig's Creek. Monty was a member of Christiansburg Presbyterian Church where she found a home for her love of music and excellent sermons along with the opportunity to know and nurture many young people. It is a profound understatement to say that she will be missed. A memorial service will be held December 31, 2016, 11 a.m. at Christiansburg Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your local food bank or to the charity of your choice. Memorial Service Saturday, December 31, 2016 11:00 AM Christiansburg Presbyterian Church 107 W. Main Street Christiansburg,VA 24073