Reverend Essie Cornelia Simmons

The Reverend Essie Cornelia Simmons, age 89, passed into eternal rest Tuesday, October 16, 2012, at the Ogeechee Area Hospice and patient facility, Statesboro, GA. The native of Statesboro was born to the late Reverend Vanderbilt B. and Mrs. Sarah Smith Simmons in Waynesville, GA. She received her early childhood education in the public school system of Brantley County, GA. Reverend Simmons was a graduate of Clark College in Atlanta, GA where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education, a graduate of Ft. Valley State College where she received a certificate in Driver’s Education, she attended Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA as well as South Carolina State in Orangeburg SC, where she received a Masters of Education and she was a graduate of Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Atlanta, GA where she received a Course of Study Degree. Rev. Simmons was a Full Elder in the South GA Annual Conference where she retired in 2000. Her Ministerial Appointments consists of Statesboro District-Simmons Circuit (1972-1984), in which this Circuit was named in her honor, Americus District-Southwest Cordele United Methodist Church (1984-1985) and Statesboro District-Waynesboro Circuit (1985-2000). Rev. Simmons was a member of the Black Methodist for Church Renewal (BMCR), a member of South Georgia Annual Conference Board, she received numerous Ministerial Honors, certificates and awards. In addition to her Ministerial services she was a Teacher/Vice-Principal in the Central/Screven County High School in Sylvania, GA for 34 years. She was also a member of the Alpha Pi Chi, Sigma Gamma Chapter in Savannah, GA and received numerous awards for leadership and community service. Reverend Essie Simmons leaves to cherish her memories, her sister and brother-in-law, Mrs. Alethia M. (Charlie) Lewis of Statesboro, GA; an uncle, Mr. BJ Smith of Jacksonville, FL; nieces and nephews, Le’Ontyne Buggs and Charlene Lewis both of Clinton, MD; Reta J. Lewis of Washington, DC; Wanda F. (Bernard) Hendrix of Marietta, GA; Rev. Sharma D. Lewis of Atlanta, GA and Charlie Lewis, Jr., of Brooklyn, NY; and a host of great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces, great-great nephews, family, friends and many dear colleagues. The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 p.m. on Friday, October 19, 2012 in the Ben Samuel Hill Memorial Chapel of Hill’s Mortuary, Inc. The funeral services for the Reverend Essie C. Simmons will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at the Brannen Chapel United Methodist Church with Rev. Sharma D. Lewis officiating, Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr., Eulogist, and the Rev. Thomas Norman, III, Pastor. Reverend Simmons will lie in state on the day of service from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour. Graveside and burial services will be held 12:00 Noon, on Sunday, October 21, 2012 at the Rose Hill/Masonic Cemetery in Waynesville, GA Online condolences may be expressed at hillsmortuaryinc.com. Final rites entrusted to Hill’s Mortuary, Inc.