Marie Simmons

Marie Simmons "affectionately known as Mommy or Nana Ree" was born to the late William King and Marie Reaves on January 30, 1935 in York, SC. Her birth was an eventful one on a stormy night at her maternal grandparents Roy "Daddy" and Alice Miller's home. She remained in their home and was raised by them. She attended school in York, SC until she left at the age of 16 to go live with her mother in Greensboro, NC.

In 1953, she moved to New York seeking to find a better way to earn a living. She made Corona, Queens her home. Here is where she met one of her best friends and spiritual mother, Wilhelmina Gilliard. Through this friendship she was taught the importance of having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. She accepted Him as her personal savior and joined Good Shepherd Church, under the leadership of Pastor Marlon M. Jackson where she served as a member of the Pastor's Aide committee and was a Trustee.

In 1974, she relocated her family to Spring Valley, NY to serve in the ministry of St. John Deliverance Tabernacle, under the leadership of Pastor D. Elizabeth Alston. Sis. Simmons was best known for standing on her post as the head nurse (armor bearer) for Pastor Alston. She traveled with her in ministry for over 14 years. She also served on the Trustee and Kitchen Ministries. She was known for her amazing cooking, especially her fried chicken and potato salad.

In 1980, Marie began working at Rockland Family Shelter (currently known as Safety for Change in New City). She worked there for 34 years. She loved working for the shelter, because she was able to use her loving maternal ways to help many women find a peaceful place and restart their lives during very difficult circumstances. She used her job to minister to women and children about Christ and the power of being a strong independent woman when faced with adversities in life.

In 2000, she began relocating to Delaware to prepare for her next journey in life. Here is where she was one of the founding members of Elam Tabernacle under the leadership of her son in law; Pastor Lamont W. Jones. She served and supported the trustee, hospitality, laymen's, women's, outreach, and help's ministries. Nana Ree was loved and admired for her beautiful smile. Her love and faithfulness to the ministry was demonstrated by her traveling from NY to DE for 14 years until she retired in 2014.

Along with working in ministry, Marie loved her family and enjoyed traveling to see them. Each summer, she took her children back to York, SC to visit her Aunt Nancy and the church she was raised in; Gold Hill Baptist Church for their annual summer revival. While there she would go see her grandfather Roy Miller "Daddy', her Aunt Estelle and Aunt Georgia. On the way down she would stop in Washington, DC to see her Aunt Bertha and Aunt Ida Mae. While in the south, she would go from house to house visiting different family members. She would go to High Point, NC to see Aunt Zula Mae and Gastonia, NC to see Uncle Arthur and Uncle Claudia. As her children grew older, she began to travel to many places. Some highlights were London and Germany but her favorite place was Hawaii. She introduced her girls to another type of travel "cruising". She enjoyed many cruises with them from Canada and Aruba to the Carribeans. While on board the beautiful ships, she loved playing her favorite game Bingo. She also enjoyed: going to the late night shows, eating all the fabulous varieties of foods and taking formal pictures in all her beautiful outfits. When she wasn't in her nurse's uniform or a frying chicken frock, she loved to dress in the finest of clothes.

In 2014, she temporarily relocated to Augusta, GA, to be near her sister Odessa. As she grew older and began to need assistance, she relocated to Boston MA in 2017, where she resided with her daughter Sandra and her family. After a short illness, on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, Marie made her final move to Glory, where she will reside with her Heavenly Father for eternity.

Marie's most precious accomplishments in life were her 7 children. She was preceded in death by her only son, Darrell Wayne Simmons and twin daughters Anita Ann and Bonita Joyce Simmons.

Marie "Mommy" leaves to cherish her memory; 4 daughters, Debra Diane Allen, Spring Valley, NY; Marsha Lynn King, Washington, DC; Sandra Dee Funches (Anthony), Marlborough, MA; and Maria Lanette Jones (Lamont), Bear, DE, along with her affectionately known daughter-in-law Elizabeth Montgomery, New City, NY; her 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; 3 sisters, Odessa Taylor, Portsmouth, VA; Ernestine King and Charlene King, Philadelphia, PA; 4 brothers, Irvin Jr. Reaves (Tansela) and Dennis Reaves, Greensboro, NC; William King, Marlborough, MA and Russell King, Philadelphia, PA; 2 God daughters, Javelyn Mercado (Willis), Flushing Queens, NY and Rosie King, Middletown, NY; 1 Godson, Darius Clay, Uniondale Long Island, NY and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives, and friends.

Lovingly Submitted, The Family