Carolyn Elizabeth Simmons

Carolyn Elizabeth Simmons was born November 24, 1943 in Whitmire, SC, Newberry County by a midwife at the home of Mary Jane Rice to her parents, the late Sally Mae and Dennis Jeter Jr. and she departed this life on December 11, 2018.

As a young lady, Lib as she was called, was quiet and focused on her studies.  She graduated from Gallman High school in Newberry, SC in 1961 as the valedictorian of her class and was a member of the Honors Society and Future Teachers of America organizations. Not only was she intelligent but she was a beauty who was voted in as the high school homecoming queen.  She went on to study at South Carolina State University with goals to become an educator.  She began pledging Delta Sigma Theta but was unable to return to college due to limited resources.

She lived for a period of time in Philadelphia, PA with one of her high school teachers, Minnie Dixson, and worked in a hotel kitchen. Then in the summer of 1963, she went to Steubenville Ohio to seek employment and live with her Aunt Ethel Rice Jones. She worked at the Hub department store in the beauty shop and at the A&P Supermarket as a cashier.  It was during this time that her beauty caught the eye of Willie Lee Simmons aka Big Red. They soon thereafter married on January 24, 1964 and had three children, Willynne, Anita and William Michael (Imhotep).

Carolyn, initially was homemaker and kept an immaculate home. She went on to work at Kroger’s Supermarket, as a head cashier, to help support her family. She always greeted her customer’s with her amazing smile and personality and retired after 33 years of service.

She was a member of Sojourner Truth Women’s Federated Club for many years servicing the community as well as the Ohio Association of Colored Women’s Clubs.

There was no doubt that Carolyn always had the Lord as the center of her life.  She was baptized at an early age and a member of Jeter Chapel AME of Carlisle, SC.

Upon her move to Steubenville, she became a faithful and dedicated member of Second Baptist church for over 53 years. While there, she was active in many roles and auxiliaries;  the Voices of Second Baptist Choir, the Missionary Community Liasion,  Primary Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Bible study, both Tuesday and Wednesday night, and occasionally facilitated Wednesday night.  She even acted in the annual church play.  You could count on Carolyn to bring a meal, make donations, visit the sick and shut-in, and help with people in their time of sorrow.

Carolyn, Volunteered for Prime Time and always enjoyed playing bingo and exercising with her crew.

She could be seen at Friday night lights games supporting the Big Red band, football and basketball teams and on any given Sunday you could find her in her Steelers gear as a home sideline cheerleader.  She even used to prepare meals for her cousin Donnie Shell and other members of the  Pittsburgh Steelers.

She and Red were a fun loving couple who enjoyed travel and were known to entertain family and friends in their home. She was a devoted wife and gave her all to care for her husband in health and especially in sickness. Lil Lib had the strength of giant, even in her petite 4’11” frame to handle Big Red after his massive stroke in 1999. Carolyn would be seen pushing his wheelchair until she could push no more but even after he entered the nursing facility, she visited him daily in any type of weather; including Ohio Valley snow storms.

Willie and Carolyn moved to Norfolk in November of 2017 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. She obeyed the Baptist covenant which states that you unite with another church as soon as possible by joining New Calvary Baptist Church of Norfolk, VA in July of 2018. There she quickly found new friends and was loved by all.

James 2:26 states that “Faith without works is dead”.  Carolyn didn’t just go to the alter to pray for others, but served people in any capacity that was needed.

Carolyn had no enemies, was always caring and dedicated to her family, friends, church and job. She can be described as a prayer warrior, inspirational, nurturing, compassionate, persevering, confidante, wife, mother, friend and a virtuous woman.  God saw her weakening and peacefully called her home to be a lovely flower in his garden.

She is survived by husband Willie Simmons of 54 years, sister Shirley Booker (Rev. Isaac Booker III), Brother Dennis (Delores) Jeter III,  brother Savoy (Brenda) Jeter. Her daughter Willynne E. Simmons and  grandsons Cameron and Xavier Scott,  her daughter Anita L. (Melvin) James and granddaughter Cydney Glass, her son Imhotep (Ma’at) Muhammad and granddaughters Essence and Anu Simmons and grandson Elijah Simmons and stepson LaVont (Lori) Hudson and grandsons LaVont and Stephon as well as a host of uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces.