Davises Earn Spotlight Award
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Members of the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce presented the Business Spotlight Award to Gil and Jerri Anne Davis Friday afternoon. Attending the presentation were (from left) Angie Hodge, Tonya Eubanks, Gil, Raymond Hawkins, Jerri Anne, Baine Turnage, Linda Maynor, Justin Canterbury, Linda White, Jessie Gurner and Zandra Walker; and (seated) Fancy. – Photo by David Howell
WATER VALLEY – Members of the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce presented the Business Spotlight Award to Gil and Jerri Anne Davis Friday afternoon. First launched in 2016, the spotlight award honors merchants, businesses and individuals who excel in their support of the community and are involved in local activities. During Friday’s presentation, Chamber President Raymond Hawkins thanked the couple for their longtime commitment to the city and investment in their neighborhood with the restoration of two historic homes, the Lee House and the Simmons House, both located on McLarty Circle in Water Valley.
The Simmons House restoration was a three-year project launched in late summer, 2017, to recover the grandeur of the historic Greek Revival style home, circa 1870. Operating as The Simmons House Historic Venue & Inn, the home offers a stunning backdrop for your wedding, family reunion or special community event.
Gil explained they dreamed of becoming owners of the majestic Simmons House decades earlier.
“We saw this house when I first came to Water Valley 20 years ago,” Gil recalled. “And I thought, ‘man if we could ever get that house.’”
Like others in the community, Gil explained they thought the home was not available for purchase. That changed in 2015 after they observed Randy Uncapher scraping grass off the sidewalk.
“He was doing that on a Sunday afternoon, I looked over there and said ‘who is that guy,’” Gil recalled. He and Jerri Anne immediately went over to meet the new owner.
Uncapher’s planned work on the Simmons House prompted the couple to purchase the Lee House that same year. The two-year restoration that followed at the Lee House captured the original charm of the 1908 Foursquare residence that is available for nightly rentals or small venues.
Two years after meeting Uncapher they were able to purchase the Simmons House. Their initial plan was to live in it after the restoration.
“It wasn’t until we started restoration that we truly understood what this building meant for the community,” Gil explained. He cited stories shared by past owners that included evenings enjoyed on the side porch or in the meticulously maintained gardens that used to exist out back. They also learned about Dr. William Simmons, who died two years after the construction of his home.
“We decided that we could not live in this house. This house has got to be for this town and that is what we want it to be,” Gil added. “We want to honor his legacy and the impact he had in Yalobusha County,” he explained about the original owner.
With the completed restoration of the Simmons House, Gil and Jerri Anne are able to host all-inclusive events. The spacious suites of the Simmons House and adjoining guest houses on the property provide overnight accommodations for up to 22 guests.
“You could arrive on Friday with your wedding party, enjoy your rehearsal dinner in the garden, stay overnight on property and wake up the next morning to brunch and a full day of activities,” Jerri Anne explained. “Exceeding expectations is our absolute goal. And with a stunning backdrop for bridal celebrations, the home offers multiple unique and magical settings.”
In addition to special events, the couple also anticipates having the Simmons House available as an inn on weekdays, and on weekends during the off-season.
Jerri Anne reported that they have started taking reservations for the Simmons House, but the inaugural event will be the June 12 wedding of their son, Justin Zampella, and his bride-to-be, Maggie Marshall.
For more information or to book a tour, call Jerri Anne at 662-714-4006 or email: hello@
thesimmonshouse.com.
Business Spotlight Drawing for $25 VISA Card
In honor of this Business Spotlight award, the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is offering a $25 gift card to the person who can correctly answer this question:
How many columns are on the front of the Simmons House?
All correct answers will be compiled, and the winning name will be drawn on March 26. You have “10 days and two ways” to answer between March 17 and January March 26. You may (1) reply on Facebook, OR (2) stop by the Chamber of Commerce office any time during regular office hours and leave a written answer. The winner will be called OR notified on Facebook.
The winner’s name and photograph will be published in the following edition of the Herald.
