Mary Alyce Simon

Mary Alyce Black Simon was born on September 28, 1925, in Jacksonville, Florida, where she was lovingly raised by Ms. Susie Black as an only child.

On Monday, September 14, 2026, Mary Alyce transitioned to her heavenly home, shortly before her 101st birthday.

Mary Alyce (MA) graduated from Boylan Haven in 1942 at the age of sixteen, then earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Florida A&M College (now University). During her third year, she married William (Bill) Goins. Their union was blessed with three sons; Vaness, Kenneth, and Alric Sr. She stayed home for several years to raise “my three sons”, as she would affectionately refer to them.

She later resumed her education, joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and graduated from Florida Normal in 1956. MA was a substitute before getting a full-time teaching job in August of 1956 at Moncrief Elementary School, with Kindergarten (KDG) students for 15 years. The year of integration Mary Alyce was sent to Lake Forest Elementary for 2 years afterward she taught 12 years at San Mateo Elementary School. In 1985 Mary Alyce retired after 30 years of class photos and devoted service.

In 1977, up in Georgia, MA married Clarence “CJ” Simon. The two became almost inseparable. Whether it’s traveling together, where they met Lionel Richie on The Commodores Cruise or just watching Perry Mason at home.

Mary Alyce was a faithful member of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church under the leadership of Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Sr. formal years and later Bishop Rudolph McKissick. Jr. until she became ill. During her tenure of 68 years at Bethel, she served on the following ministries: Sunday School, Nursery, Birthday, Married Couples, Teenagers, History and Archives; to name a few. Her Personal Statement was “I have learned that if you continually give, you will continually have.”

Mary Alyce was predeceased by her mother, Susie Black; husband Clarence (CJ) Simon; two sons, Alric Goins, Sr. and Vaness Goines. She is survived by her loving son: Kenneth Goins; grandchildren: Alric Goins, Jr. , LaTonya Cherry, Torrance Goins, and Kanese Goins; great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Hardage - Giddens Greenlawn Funeral Home, 4300 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207, US, on October 22, 2026, at 10:00 am.

A Funeral Service will be held at Hardage - Giddens Greenlawn Funeral Home, 4300 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207, US, on October 22, 2026, at 11:00 am.