Eloise Johnson Simmons

Eloise Johnson Simmons, age 93 of 493 Wild Plum Ln., Sanford, NC passed on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care, West End, NC. 

Eloise Simmons, 93, went to her glorious heavenly home on July 11, 2018 at 12:15 AM with her family by her side at FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care.

Eloise was born in Sanford, NC on March 7, 1925 to the late Lonnie and Georgia Johnson. She attended school in Sanford as well until she met her late husband, Willie Simmons who was one of the FIRST Black Bus Drivers in Sanford. Eloise was a loving and committed housewife and subsequently became an even more loving and committed mother. She spent her family years living between Sanford, NC., Charlotte, NC., Richmond, VA., and Queens, NY. She spent her last years at her home in Sanford.

Eloise’s employment consisted of being a PROUD Domestic Worker as she raised her kids. She was also employed in several other positions throughout her life in such places as The Medical College of Virginia (MCV). She also loved the work she did at the Senior Centers.

Her interests included family (first and foremost), playing spades (where she really enjoyed winning! So much so that she laughed each time she won!), crafts (making doll clothes, coasters, knitting, crocheting) and traveling (Vegas, New Orleans, Mexico, New York, Savannah – where she visited Paula Dean’s restaurant, the Bahamas – she even took a cross country train trip where she visited the restaurant Sweetie Pies in St Louis, Missouri). She was also a part of the Eastern Star organization.

Eloise was a VERY dedicated, devoted and exceptional Mother, Grandmother and Friend to many.

Eloise lived life by the Golden Rule – Do Unto Others, As You Will Have Them Do Unto You! and encouraged others to do the same. She loved everyone and always said she “Never met a person she did not like!’

She was preceded in death by her two sons, Rudolph Simmons and Rodney Lewis, one daughter, Jackie Simmons, mother and father, Georgia and Lonnie Johnson; two brothers, Norman & Lawrence Johnson; one sister, Peggy Gilmore; and four grandchildren; Timothy Booker, Andy MacCargo, and Eric Simmons, and one granddaughter, Monique Simmons.

She leaves here to cherish her precious memory three sisters; Margi (Earl) Hailey, Betty Brewington and Ann Bennett, seven children; Geneva Booker, Ralph (Phyllis) Simmons, Wilma Johnson, Fred (Florence) Simmons, Horace Simmons, Terry Simmons, and Debrah Simmons; one stepson; Irving (Mary) Foxx, thirty four grandchildren; eighty five, great grandchildren; thirty seven, great great grandchildren; one great great great granddaughter; a host of nieces and nephews; one dedicated nephew, Donald Gilmore; several special adopted friends, Linda Webb, Kelly, Rich, and Bernard whom she adored and claimed as her own as well as friends from the Senior Centers, Church, and the Communities in which she lived.

She was loved by everyone who had the opportunity to enter into her life or who’s life she entered. She constantly thanked her children and grandchildren for allowing her to be the BEST MOTHER and GRANDMOTHER she could be.

Arrangements By: Knotts Funeral Home, Sanford