Nellie Hyacinth Simmonds

Nellie Hyacinth Green was born on December 14, 1925 to the late George Green and Fedelia Troope in Cave Valley, St. Ann, Jamaica. Nellie was the only daughter in a family of five sons. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Ronnie Green (Sister-in-law Irene Green), Webster Green, Donald Green (Sister-in-law Mildred Green-Thompson), Alfred (“Georgie”) Green (Sister-in-law Cynthia Green), niece Jessica Green, nephew Hudson Green, and her granddaughter Sarita Simmonds.

Nellie grew up in St. Ann, where she attended Eccleston Primary School in Aboukir. While in school, she was also in charge of many household duties as the only girl. As a child, Nellie attended sewing school, took piano lessons, and sang alto in the Anglican Church choir. Because of the distance to the Anglican Church, she often attended the local Methodist church. She was called Mamma Nell by her grandparents and Ms. Nell by others. She married Archibald Simmonds of St. Ann, Jamaica, in 1953 and produced six children out of that marriage. She moved to England to join her husband and then to the United States in 1968, following her brother Donald. She became a citizen in 1974. Ms. Nell was famous for her red nail polish, red lipstick, and love of dancing. She was always in a dancing mood: one of her favorite songs was "I'm in a dancing mood.”

She worked as a full-time nurse and part-time home health aide in New York for many years. She purchased a home in the Bronx, New York, where she lived until her retirement. She enjoyed traveling, and her trips to Hawaii, Europe, Egypt, and Jerusalem were legendary. She often spoke and laughed about her Camel riding experience in Egypt and the religious experience of wading into the Dead Sea. These were some of the highlights of her trips. Ms. Nell was considered a fashion icon and a progressive woman (for her time). She taught us how to live and love life.

After retirement, she relocated to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where she purchased a home and enjoyed her golden years. Nellie attended Merrell United Methodist Church faithfully for many years and, even in her later years, visited every chance she could. She would often sing the songs of her childhood and from her church, and even when her memory faded, those songs would remain. With her quick wit, spunk, and big heart Nellie made friends with all who had the pleasure of meeting her. She loved her garden, flowers, Cadillac “Princess,” her church family, neighbors, and friends, and she fiercely loved her family. She held her family to the highest standards and expected them to represent the family well and remember where they came from. Anyone who didn’t would be sure to hear from her. When asked how she wanted to be remembered, her response was, “I am a mother, a strong woman, and a hard worker.”

Nellie leaves to cherish her memory her brother, Rupert Green (Sister-in-law Hazel Green); her sons, Lukin (“Vill”) Simmonds (daughter-in-law Sandra Simmonds), Raymond (“Bob”) Simmonds (daughter-in-law Audrey Simmonds), and Sedley (“Ben”) Simmonds; and her daughters, Winsome (“June”) Simmonds, Claudette Simmonds, and Maureen Simmonds (son-in-law Denzil Simmonds). She also leaves her twelve grandchildren, Delroy (Carlene), Charlotte, Susannah (Matvey), Janet (Tchein), Michelle, Shaun (Shaakira), Pamela, Crystal (Khalid), Phillip, Equan (Sheila), David (Shannon), Lukin, her eighteen great-grandchildren three great-great-grandchildren, four nieces Elaine, Helen, Jennifer, and Pamela, and eight nephews Donovan, Hopeton, Paul, Willie, Marshall, Headley, Everton, and Hartley. She will be remembered fondly and missed by those whom she has touched. May her soul Rest in Peace.

For guests attending the funeral service via zoom - Please go to the main webpage for Merrell United Methodist Church (https://www.merrellumc.org/)

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.starofdavidfuneralchapel.com for the Simmonds family.