Johnnie Mae Simmons

Mrs. Johnnie Mae Simmons, our beloved mother, nana, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, peacefully transitioned to eternal glory surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, January 30, 2022. Age 78 years. She was born on January 12, 1944, in Morgan City, Mississippi, the eldest child of the late Deacon Jessie L. Jones, Sr., and Mother Ella V. Jones. Johnnie was also the eldest Lee grandchild, and she got her first name from her maternal grandfather, Reverend Johnnie S. Lee. 

Johnnie was a strong, yet tender hearted woman of God. Her deep laugh was recognizable, and her smile would brighten the grayest day. Although soft-spoken, Johnnie said what she meant, and meant what she said! She was affectionately known as Johnnie Mae, John Mae, Mae Mae, Homey, and by her signature, JMS. Her father nicknamed her Danky when she turned a year old. 

Johnnie accepted Christ at an early age. She attended R. B. Schlater Elementary in Morgan City, Mississippi, and graduated from Amanda Elsy High School in Greenwood, Mississippi, in 1962. She attended Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Mississippi, studying Elementary Education. She later moved to Chicago, Illinois. 

In 1964, Johnnie married the late James Walker in Yazoo City, Mississippi. To this union, two sons were born. 

On February 4, 1974, Johnnie began working for the Saginaw Public School District as a Librarian, first at Jessie Loomis Elementary, next at Webber Elementary, and later returning to Loomis MST Academy, until retiring June 30, 2011.

Mrs. Simmons was proud to be a Wildcat. She often sported her Loomis t-shirt, and she took pride in her work! She wore white tennis shoes, crisp dress slacks, and a brown or black blazer to work daily. Mrs. Simmons loved her coworkers, but most of all, she loved teaching children how to read and to be respectful. The students knew Mrs. Simmons was loving, but that she also didn't tolerate any “mess” in her library and to take care of her books! 

Johnnie loved her four children unconditionally. She doted Abraham, showed Kenny compassion, Connie was her lovely daughter, and spoiled her baby boy, Cederick. Nana’s grandchildren were her pride and joy. Johnnie deeply loved her brothers and sisters. She enjoyed being the oldest and made sure they remembered that she was the oldest. Without a doubt Johnnie was the Jones family Lady Chief. She had a very special bond with her nieces and nephews. And close in age to her aunts and uncles, Johnnie was more like their little sister.

Johnnie spent her Sunday afternoons visiting with her mother, sisters, and family sitting on the porch at Ruth’s house. Her niece and nephews kept a glass of ice water and a cold Pepsi ready for Mae Mae, in exchange for a pack of gum…and a few pinches. Johnnie was fun; she could tell and act out a good story. 

Johnnie spent her summers at the Farmer's Market with her granddaughter, Millah, eating tacos, socializing with the vendors, and anyone she ran into. Johnnie loved hosting her family for the annual Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day dinner. Every Friday she cooked her famous spaghetti and catfish. Johnnie could fry some corn and bake a mean killa cake (pineapple coconut cake). She was a classy woman. She kept her hair rolled and curled, nails polished red, and admonished her nieces and young ladies to wear stockings, slips, and camisoles.

On August 29, 1986, Johnnie married the late Curtis Simmons in Saginaw, Michigan.

Johnnie was a faithful member of Mt. Olive Institutional Missionary Baptist Church where she joyfully served for 55 years as a member of the Usher Board and the Choir. And every Sunday, she’d always say, “Pastor sho’ nuff preached today!” She loved herself some Pastor Smith. Her joys of life included being with her family and friends, the Detroit Tigers, Cracker Barrel, gardening, sitting in her favorite chair at the dining table while reading the newspaper, drinking a Pepsi, and attending church. Her favorite saying was “I don't wanna,” “Geesh” and “Did you hear what I said!”

Johnnie leaves to cherish her loving memory, her wonderful children, Abraham (Kathleen) Walker, Evanston, Illinois, Kenneth Walker, Denver, Colorado, Consuella (Rick) Gill, Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Cederick Walker, Saginaw, Michigan.; stepchildren, Yvonne Warren, Phoenix, Arizona, Pauline Simmons, Denver, Colorado, Vernell Simmons and Veronica King, of Saginaw, Michigan; grandchildren, Nicole Walker, Denver, Colorado, Alec (her #1 grandson) and Erin Walker, Evanston, Illinois, and Jamillah Dale Clark, Kalamazoo, Michigan; great-granddaughter, Ameris Walker; siblings, James “JW” (Evelyn) Jones, Sr, Tampa, Florida; Bessie V. Jones, Lessie J. (Jack) Williams, Sr, and Mary E. Burns of Chicago, Illinois, Annie O. Hull, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Eliza (Deacon Walter) Bailey, Sr, Chicago, Illinois, Ella M. Jones, Saginaw, Michigan, Rev. Jessie L. Jones, Jr, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Emma R. (Roma) Edwards of Saginaw, Michigan, Merilyn Hall and Esmond Hall; aunts, Pinkie Sanders, Chicago, Illinois, Alberta Austin, Gladys Lena Humes, Vivian Tarkington, and Tena (Willie) Bond all of Saginaw, Michigan; uncle, Davis “Suga” Lee (whom she shares a birthday with), of Saginaw, Michigan; a host of very loving nieces, nephews, and cousins; including special cousins she was raised with, Hortensia Flowers and Palistean Nash, the Purnells of Itta Bena, Mississippi, and the Scotts of Metcalf, Mississippi; special friends, Mary Robinson, the birthday club, Melleretha Moses-Johnson, Delores Williams, Kermit Diggs, and Tan Lampkin, all of Saginaw, Michigan; co-workers, Nancy Persinger (Webber Elementary) and Rwaida Bates (Loomis MST Academy), both of Saginaw, Michigan, and many other family and friends. 

Johnnie’s parents, Deacon Jessie L. Jones, Sr, and Mother Ella V. Jones; husband, Curtis Simmons; aunt, Ora M. Loveless; and uncles, Reverend James Anderson Lee, Preston Lee, Benjamin Lee, and L.H. Lee preceded Johnnie in death.

The family would like to express gratitude to the doctors and staff of Covenant Healthcare, Nurse Sabrina (6th Floor), niece, Anesha Stanley (Lady), Aunt Ruth, Aunt Bessie, Aunt Ella, Karen Cork, Reverend Marvin T. Smith and the Mt. Olive Institutional Missionary Baptist Church Family, Usher Board, her Sheridan Park neighbors, Ivan E. Phillips, Lynnette Scott, Mary McDonald, and the Paradise Funeral Chapel Staff.

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