Allie Simmons

Mother Allie Elizabeth Simmons was called to her final rest on April 10, 2020.  Mother Simmons, as she was fondly referred to, was the daughter of the late Jesse Bell Davis, and Samuel “Murt” Davis. Born in Abbeville, Alabama on November 24, 1935, she began her schooling in her home state of Alabama and worked on a military base before moving to Cleveland, Ohio.

Later she moved from Cleveland, Ohio to Erie, Pennsylvania, where she met and married George Simmons, Sr.  On February 14, 1956, a son, George J. Simmons was born of this union. In the early 1960’s she was baptized in Jesus’ name. She worked at different companies including Hamot Hospital, Keystone Laundry, R. Kinetics, and Janitor Jim, and also attended cosmetology classes at OIC.

During this time, her husband, George Simmons, Sr., was baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Ghost. They were both active and faithful members at Bethlehem Temple Church under Elder Curtis Naylor. A decade later, her husband, George Simmons, Sr., was called into the ministry and founded True Holiness Church of Jesus Christ on January 13, 1975. It was at this time Mother Simmons left the workforce and focused on her church work.

While serving as first lady, she was general church secretary, Sunday school secretary, organist, head cook, missionary, and any other position that the church needed. She remained a senior mother on the Mother’s Board of the True Vine Pentecostal Churches of The Lord Jesus Christ.

Not only was she the mother of one son, she also helped to raise many children. She was also an active grandmother who enjoyed reading the bible, cooking, fishing, checkers, playing the piano, organ, and singing.

Along with her husband, Elder Simmons, Sr., she preceded in death by her brothers, Roosevelt, Joe, Charles and Leonard Davis. She is survived by one sister, Mary Joe Jackson (Berrier Springs, Michigan) and two cousins, Eula Mae Gaffney (Elyria, Ohio) and Evangelist Barbara Jackson (Cleveland, Ohio).

She leaves to cherish her in memory, her son, George J. Simmons (Juanita), Waydell Johnson, Godson (New Mexico, Philippines), Goddaughters, Olga Hairston, Lois Martin (Martinsville, Virginia), and Sandra Sansom  (Erie, Pennsylvania); 10 grandsons, George III, Samuel, Gregory (Felisha), Richard, Timothy, Michael, Nathan, Marcus (Elizabeth), Willie, and Matthew Simmons, along with 16 great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and the True Holiness Church Family. 

A private service will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 2 p.m. and will be live streamed for public viewing at www.facebook.com/BurtonFuneralHomesAndCrematoryInc.   Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the care of Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 602 W. 10^th St., Erie.

Send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com.