Lisa Marie Simmons was born February 13, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York. Lisa was one of four children born to Mersella Simmons and Vernon Lee Simmons Sr. in 19969, the family moved from Brooklyn, NY to Hollywood, CA. after living in La Puente for a few years, the Simmons family relocated to Rialto, CA in1980 where they settled permanently.
At an early age, Lisa Simmons knew why she was put on this planet. She believed that everyone has a gift that God blessed them with. If you follow your heart and believe in God, your vision will be clear. No one on earth had to tell Lisa or ask her what she wanted to be when she grew up. She was a teacher before she became a teacher. Many little girls were known to host tea parties with her dolls. She led her class by handing out schoolwork assignments and giving presentations. Lisa always enjoyed playing by herself by teaching classes.
As time went by, Lisa never gave up her dream of becoming a teacher. She was determined to finish school by earning as Associate in Arts degree from Citrus College in 1987. With school being her first love. Lisa continued her education by earning her bachelor’s degree from Cambridge College in 2013 with several other required teaching credentials.
She became the first and only teacher in her family. Lisa maintained her career for over 24 years before she retired, but she never stopped learning and teaching others.
Over the years of being a schoolteacher she met a young man named Norman Dandridge and fell in love. Several years later she had her first and only child with Norman. They named him Marcel Dandridge. Marcel was the love of her life. She did everything and anything to make him happy. It was a dream of hers to open her own school to spend every given moment with her son. No one will ever have a relationship like Lisa and Marcel had. Lisa was called home, but everyone knows she will never give up. When you meet Marcel and wonder why he’s so lovable and kind, it’s because of the unique bond he shared with his mother and will continue to share with her for years to come.
Lisa was called home on July 28, 2020. She was preceded in passing by her brother Vernon Simmons Jr., her father Vernon Simmons, Sr., and her mother Mersella Simmons. She is survived by her son Marcel Dandridge, her life partner Norman Dandridge, her sister Vernetta Baker; nieces Seanete and Symone Baker, her brother Michael Simmons; niece Shala Simmons; nephew Jordyn Simmons and a host of extended family and friends.
