A Time to be born...

Mrs. Ella Lavinia Simmons, the daughter of the late Rachel and James Marion Varner, was born August 31, 1918 in Berkeley County, South Carolina.

A Time to die ...

On Friday, November 9, 2018, at 10:05 p.m., at Trident Medical Center, Charleston, SC, our heavenly Father, in His infinite wisdom and mercy called her into eternal rest.

A Time for every purpose under the heaven ...

Mother Ella Simmons attended public schools in Berkeley County. At an early age, she joined Greater St. James A.M.E. Church in Summerville, SC. In 1968 she joined Trinity Holiness Church of God in Christ, Moncks Corner, SC. She held a variety of roles in the church, including serving on the Mother's Board, serving communion for over 50 years, and beautifying the church. She played her beloved washboard every week.

Mother Ella was a member of the Etiwan Tribe.

A Time to love...

In March of 1939, she was joined in matrimony to Mr. Lemirah Simmons in the Grove Hall community. This union was blessed with nine children. She was preceded in death by her husband; three sons, Alton Simmons, Leroy Simmons and Ruffin Simmons; three grandchildren, Deloris Simmons, Alton Simmons, Jr. and Dewayne Simmons. She was the last of sixteen siblings.

A Time to be blessed...

Left to cherish her beautiful memories are: two sons, Wilfred (Viola) Simmons and Robert Lee (Virginia) Simmons of South Carolina; four daughters, Elouise Duberry of Bridgeport, CT, Alma (Willie) Weldon of South Carolina, Gloria (Alversal) Lawson of Bridgeport, CT and Francena (William) Heyward of Spring Valley, NY; two daughters-in-law, Alethia Simmons of South Carolina and Rebecca Simmons of Louisiana. She also leaves 42 grandchildren, 61 great-grandchildren and 26 great-great-grandchildren; one Goddaughter, Annie Mae Varner; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives.