Mrs. Velma Lee Simmons, 91, of Beaumont, Texas passed away on Monday, August 21, 2023 in Beaumont, Texas.

The Celebration Service for Mrs. Simmons will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church (2830 Pine Street - Beaumont, Texas 77703), with Entombment Service to follow at Magnolia Cemetery Mausoleum in Beaumont, Texas under the directions of Mercy Funeral Home. For your safety the practice of Social Distancing and Facial Masks Recommended.

Mrs. Velma L. Simmons passed away in the early hours on Monday, August 21, 2023, surrounded by family. She was born on March 10, 1932 as the second child born of James Williams and Inderella Ford Brooks. Velma accepted Christ at a very early age. She united with Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church and was baptized by the late Reverend C.B. Bailey. Velma was a woman of faith, she prayed daily, and loved music. She was devoted to her faith and was prepared for God's call. Velma grew up in Beaumont and attended the public schools there. She graduated in 1950 from Charlton-Pollard High School, and went on to attend Tuskegee Institute. Velma graduated from Texas College in 1954 and received her Master's Degree from Lamar University. She was a 1953 initiate of the Alpha Tau Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. She worked at East Chambers Independent School District for 37 years. She greatly enjoyed teaching, music, and science. Velma and the late Charles Simmons were married in the summer of 1954. To this union were five (5) children: Karen Andrus, Charles Jr., Jacqueline Ashford, Winston Simmons, and Valerie Prewitt of Montgomery Alabama. Her mother, father, sons, Charles and Winston, precede her in death. Also two sisters, Versie L. Jackson and Wilhelmina Sweet. Velma will be missed by her grandchildren, Charles Andrus, Rosalinde (Howard) Randle, Kerrin Andrus, Dr. Dana (Dennis) Johnson, Winston Simmons Holland, Jahmad Ashford, and Temple Prewitt. Great grandchildren: LaQuinta Andrus, Kimberly Andrus, Bryce Garrett, Kayla Andrus, Brianna Garrett, Imani Pace, Daniel Johnson, Jaylen Ashford, Darian Wallace, and Jasmine Gatlin Great-Great Grandchildren: Karmen Allison, Kyla Chatman & Chance Chatman. She leaves two Sisters in Love Elma Jean Richmond of Waco, Texas and Nadine Jackson of Port St. Lucia, Florida.