Lillie Catherine Simons

Lillie Catherine Simons was born on February 24, 1925 in Wadesboro, NC, to the late Pearl Lacy Simons and Ellen Marshall Simons. She departed this world on May 16, 2016 in Columbia Maryland, where she resided for 15 years. Funeral services will be 11:00am Saturday, May 28, 2016 in the Chapel of Leavitt Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Sturdivant Family Cemetery. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Catherine, or Cat as many knew her was the third oldest of nine siblings; and was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Rosa Simons Craddock, Ethel Simons Tue, and Fannie Simons Tysor; brothers, James Andrew Simons, Pearl Marshall Simons, and TC Fulton Simons. She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Marcia Simons Scott (Marvin), of Columbia, MD; two grandchildren, Thembi Lillia Scott of Los Angeles, CA, and Kori Albert Scott of Brooklyn, NY; her sister, Dorothy Simons Jackson Byrd, and brother William Charles Simons; 15 nieces and nephews; and a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Catherine began her education at the Anson County Training School in Wadesboro, NC. She matriculated and earned a bachelors degree from Shaw College (now University) and began her teaching career at public schools in Anson and Scotland Counties, NC. She went on to earn a Masters Degree in Home and Family Living from Columbia University in New York City where she proudly considered her home for 45 years. As a dedicated educator who was highly revered by her students for many years, she taught home economics and art at Public Schools in the Bronx, New York, as well as adult basic consumer education. During this time, she received recognition for leading art projects among students, and was even once invited to demonstrate her artistic work across the globe in China, which she declined in order to continue her committed nurturing of her students at home. She was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She ultimately served as Project Director of Consumer Education in the Office of Continuing Education for the New York City Board of Education from which she retired in 1988. Throughout her career and post-retirement, Catherine expressed her creativity by engaging in multiple projects, in which she donated her time and artistic talent to her community, her church, Mother A.M.E Zion in Harlem, New York, and her family. Beyond creating and donating her artwork for annual Womens Day, anniversary, and other programs she led at Mother Zion, in multiple years she forged her talents to lead the Simons-Crowder and Simons-Sturdivant family reunions, dedicated to building knowledge and reverence for the legacy of our ancestors. At age 90 in 2015, she was honored to receive the very meaningful, Oldest Family Member award at the Little-Nivens-Crowder-Simons Family Reunion. Her profound devotion to lifting up the family to strive for the very best was engendered by her parents, who always encouraged her to reach back and help others, and to represent the Pearl Simons family when other extended family members were ill or in need. This faithful dedication was evidenced by her selfless contributions of her own resources to subsidize the many efforts that she led. She was often heard to say, That child needs to be in college; and she frequently would see those educational efforts and fulfillment of other family members needs through to the end, so that no matter the personal cost, ultimately, she would honor the legacy of her parents, family and ancestors. Although she experienced declining health in the last few years of her life, her sly sense of humor and sharp wit often surprised new acquaintances and caregivers, who initially believed her to be quiet and reticent. Ever true to her courageous spirit, and despite her physical frailty, she exhibited her life-long determination to overcome adversity, right up until the end of her life. Visitation Leavitt Funeral Home Saturday May 28th, 2016 10:00am - 11:00am 2036 Morven Road Wadesboro, NC 28170 Funeral Service Leavitt Funeral Home Saturday May 28th, 2016 11:00am 2036 Morven Road Wadesboro, NC 28170