Frank Morris Simmons was born to John and Sally Simmons on May 19, 1930 in Albion, Michigan. Frank Simmons had a diverse background in the areas of education, music, book author, football coach, deacon,
family man, Christian and Honored Korean Army Veteran. He was an avid member of his church until he
became ill and unable to attend Trinity Wesleyan Church in Jackson, MI. Frank, Ernestine (deceased) and his
daughter Frostine moved to the Detroit metro area in late 2008 where their daughter Ardith Arnelle Price took care of them until he made his transition to heaven.
Frank received his Bachelor of Science Degree [B.A.] from Kentucky State University, Frankfort, Kentucky, Master of Arts Degree [M.A.] from Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI and served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from January 15, 1951 until February 3, 1953. He met and married Ernestine Debnam Simmons (Preceded him in death December 8, 2011) and they started their wonderful life together in Jackson, MI. They enjoyed traveling throughout the United States to various conventions and would bring back new ideas on how to motivate young folks to obtain success. You would rarely see one without the other working with young folks, their various organizations [Civitan International, Starr Commonwealth, MSU, American Association of University Women to name a few] which were numerous and with their daughters Frostine, Ardith and their foster daughter Jean Smith. Frank and Ernestine started an educational foundation for young college people at Michigan State University because they wanted all young folks to learn and achieve greatness. [The Frank M. and Ernestine D. Simmons Endowed Scholarship in Education at Michigan State University]
Frank taught for 31 ½ years with 28 years in the Albion Public School District, as a Learning Disability teacher. Mr. Simmons graduated from Washington Gardner High School in Albion and he became the Learning Disability teacher for the High School and the Junior High School. He started the first “Type A” classroom for Mentally Handicapped Students at Washington Gardner Junior and Senior High. Mr. Simmons belonged to many organizations that helped developmental disabled professional men and women since their youngest daughter was developmentally disabled from birth.
In his spare time, Mr. Simmons authored a book Bridging the Gap with Reflections from Burkesville, Kentucky to Albion, Michigan. That depicted the journey of his Mothers [Cheek family] ancestral roots.
Frank M. Simmons is survived by his daughters Ardith Arnelle Price {Michael Price “his son”}, Frostine M. Simmons, Jean Smith (Milford Gregory) and grandchildren Brianna and Jasmine, granddaughter Janaya and great granddaughter Nilah Ellison; his Brother Alpheus (Odessa) Simmons; sister in law Shirley Johnson; special brother and sister Rev. Dr. J. Deotis and Elizabeth Roberts and their family and a host of family and friends. He was preceded in death beside his wife, Ernestine by a Brother Godfrey Johnson.
Family Hour will be Saturday November 3, 2012 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home, 811 Finley Drive, Albion, Michigan 49224.Funeral Services will be Saturday November 3, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at the Funeral Home with Rev. Shaun Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Albion Memory Gardens-Albion Township, MI.
Assistance with Memorial Contributions to: Frank M. and Ernestine D. Simmons Endowed Scholarship in Education c/o MSU, Department of Education, Erickson Hall, 620 Farm Lane, Room 501,East Lansing, Michigan 48824 is available at the Funeral Home
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