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Joyce Annette Simmons


Sunrise: March 18, 1956

Sunset: September 21, 2024

When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her. There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all. Proverbs 31:26-29 

Joyce Annette Simmons was born on March 18, 1956, in Portsmouth, VA. She was the daughter of Horace & Margaret Worsley. Joyce, affectionately known as “Annette” by her family & friends departed this life on September 21, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. 

Annette was educated in the Jersey City Public School system and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1974 where she met the love of her life, Grailin Simmons Sr. They were joined in holy matrimony in 1978 and were blessed with three children.

In her early career, Annette worked in the banking industry and other various fields; however, her love for children guided her into a new career path in childcare. Throughout the years, she cared for many of her family & friends. Later in her childcare career, she ventured off into the daycare setting where she developed a lifelong bond with a special family “The Golds”. 

Annette LOVED her family, family was her life. Her house was considered the “fun house”. In the earlier years, you could find children riding bikes, jumping rope, and having water balloon fights throughout her house. She hosted legendary card parties where she and her husband miraculously won most of the time…hummmm??? She hosted Thanksgiving dinners, Super Bowl parties, and EPIC Halloween Parties (thanks Aaron for being born on October 31). 

Annette enjoyed shopping, reading, crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble with her sisters, and a good Laffy Taffy joke. One of her greatest joys was playing games with her grandchildren. She was a fierce competitor and no matter their age, she showed no mercy. Annette was extremely proud of her three kids and was always supportive no matter the situation. She will be sorely missed by her family & friends.

Annette was preceded in death by her loving husband of over 40 years, Grailin Simmons Sr. Her parents, Horace & Margaret Worsley. Her sisters, Edna Sinclair & Rev. Cheryl Lee, and brother, Horace “Sonny” Worsley. 

Her precious memories will be cherished by her daughter, Tamika Smith (Sean), and two sons, Grailin Simmons Jr. and Aaron Simmons (Stephanie). Ten Grandchildren, Diadra, Khaliah, Tashauna (Jiel), Sean Jr, Kobe, Grailin, Nathalie, Ian, Alyssa, and Asher. Three Great-Grands, Imani, Tamiya & Khari. Three sisters, Margaret Grant, Cora Harrington & Theresa McDaniel, and one brother, John Worsley. One Aunt, Annie Bell Armfield. Three God-Children, LaToya, Akeem & DeVaughn. A host of nieces & nephews, whom she held near and dear to her heart as well as many other family and friends.

Memorial Service: Saturday, September 28, 2024 10:00 AM Metropolitan Funeral Service 5605 Portsmouth Boulevard Portsmouth, Virginia

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Condolences(9)

  1. reply
    Patience Eure-Robinson says

    To the Simmons family.
    My sincere condolences. I had the pleasure of meeting your mom and the sister of Theresa McDaniel along with other family members. My prayers are with you all. She is at peace now and resting in the arms of Jesus. My love to all of you.

  2. reply
    Sixto Dolmo says

    May the Lord our God Bless Annette’s soul.🙏🏿❤️
    My sincerest condolences to all of Annette’s Family and Friends. God’s Peace be with you.

  3. reply
    Tiffanny Williams says

    My condolences. She was sweet lady that I met. My prayers to the simmons, grant, and worsley families

  4. reply
    Terry Yvonne Patterson says

    My deepest condolences. Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our trials so that we may be able to comfort others in any sort of trial with the comfort that we receive from God. 2 Corinthians 13: 3,4. I am going to miss my cousin. I have good memories growing up. Her smiling eyes and meek voice i will never forget. She is in a deep sleep waiting to be awaken my her Heavenly Father. The Philly Family will miss our cousin.

    • reply
      Ray & Liz Jackson says

      To our family of love, and we know God is Love. Every family member that’s have gone home to be with God, we miss them very much, their smiles, their laughters, and they just being here, with us, was so beautiful. The pain they don’t have no more, but we do, and tomorrow, the pain we have will be gone, but the love for them in our hearts will be forever, and forever.

      • reply
        Kathy Allen says

        9-28-2024
        I am so sorry for your loss. Sending deepest condolences to the family.
        Annette, you are resting in heaven with Our Father God. You are healed and shining ✨️ down on your love ones now. Rejoicing to be reunited with your husband and parents there with you.

        You were a beautiful hostess and showered love to whomever you met.

        Thank you for including my family as a part of your family.

        So take your wings and fly freely in heaven.

        Love ❤️
        Kathy Allen and family

  5. reply
    Bryanlind Patterson says

    Sending my deepest condolences, keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers 🙏🏽🙏🏽

    • reply
      Terence Savage says

      My deepest sympathy and condolences to Aaron and his family. Stay strong and don’t forget we’re always here for you if you need us. 🙏🏿

  6. reply
    Grace Lofton Woodards says

    My sincere condolences to the family

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