Simms, Shirley Louise (Age 80) of Washington, D.C.

The Obituary

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27: 1, 14.

Shirley Simms was resting at home on Monday, July 11, 2011, when she was called to be with her Lord. She was born in Washington D.C. on August 30, 1930 to Sidney and Laura Hemsley. She was later raised by her Aunt, Leanna Hemsley, in Newburg, Maryland.

Shirley attended Bel Alton High School in Charles County, Maryland, and was a proud member of the Bel Alton High School Alumni Association Community Development Corporation. One of her final acts was to have a radio station correctly pronounce the "Al" in Bel Alton as in "Al" Green, as opposed to Bel "All"-ton.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, John Simms; her oldest son, Benjamin Simms; her sister, Bernice Roane; and her brothers, Benjamin and Lester Hemsley and Herman Middleton. She was also predeceased by her cousins with whom she was raised as a sister: Virginia Clark, Glenda Washington, William Hemsley, Sidney Hemsley, and William Ford.

She spoke warmly of her employment over the years, until her final retirement, in the Housekeeping Department of three major hospitals: Doctors in downtown Washington, Greater Southeast and Howard University. She suffered a major and lengthy illness due to an aneurism in the early 1970's. She always credited Dr. Mervin Zimmerman with saving her life by discovering the aneurism during a routine eye examination, and immediately getting her to the hospital. She recovered fully and went on to lead an active life.

In her youth, Shirley attended Shiloh Church in Newburg, MD. She returned to the church often when visiting her family. As an adult living in the District, she was a member of Metropolitan Wesley AME Zion Church on North Capitol St. N.E. She later transferred to Ebenezer AME Zion Church in the District. She subsequently became a member of Allen Chapel AME church. Shirley volunteered her time helping others. She regularly received, repaired when necessary, and distributed clothing to her neighbors and individuals in a nearby nursing home, as well as other places. She also secured and distributed food to her neighbors and others. She remembered birthdays and often sent cards to friends and family.

Those who knew Shirley were aware of her passion for life. She was meticulous in planning each day of her life including her meals, her attire, whether she would go out or stay in, and what she would do, if anything. She usually attended the Wellness Center on Alabama Avenue twice a week. Many know that she was an almost daily walker, who walked many miles through the District, such as from Friendship Heights back to Southeast Washington. Thursdays was her day to do as she wanted to. You were not encouraged to call her on Thursdays. Her attention to detail included knowing what she would wear and laying out her attire days in advance. She prepared for the cold winter months by stocking her freezer and home with nourishing foods and other household items she believed she would need or want.

She loved the Arena Stage and was in regular attendance there. She also loved shopping in Georgetown where she bought many of her hats, and at Eastern Market on Capitol Hill with its antique and boutique vendors. She would sometimes shop for family members who wanted a particular style of antique vase. Shirley was an avid reader who was a regular customer of Barnes and Noble bookstore. She was well versed in many subjects as a result of her reading, from philosophy to scripture. She loved listening to her music collection ranging from jazz to country and western.

Shirley and her family were very close knit despite the miles that separated them. She doted on her grandchildren, expressed pride in their accomplishments, visited them as often as she could, and when necessary, advocated on their behalf. Her nieces and nephew who live in Prince Georges County were her usual means of transportation to events in Charles County. They were dutiful in being of assistance to "Aunt Shirley".

Shirley leaves to cherish her memory three children: Richard Simms (Laverne) of Richmond, VA, Donnie Butler (Louis) of Newburg, MD, and Theresa Thomas of Washington, D.C.; seven grandchildren: Latrese Butler of Newburg, MD, Louis Butler, Jr.,(Jhomica) of Indian Head, MD, Wilonda Harries (Mathews) of Mobile, Alabama, Cleveland Brown, III of Washington, DC, Daryl Simms of Alexandria, VA, Warren O. Tweedy of Waldorf, MD, and Kanika Anne Simms, Active Military, Stationed in Georgia; ten great grandchildren: Dayshia Butler, India Butler, Jawuan Butler, Jaylen Butler, Jamarion Butler, Tiffany Earl, Ezinglm Earl, Julius Harries, Johnathan Harries and Erica Elaine Brown; and one great grandchild: Jarrel Earl; a sister, Dolores Dorsey of Stone Mountain, GA; and a special niece and nephew, Joan and Ray Jones of La Plata, MD. She is also survived by a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends, including a good friend, Mary Washington.

God knew that you were weary, so he did what he knows best.
He came and stood beside you and whispered, Come and Rest.
You bade no one a last farewell, not even a good-bye.
You were gone before we knew it, and only God knows why.

Family Visitation 10:00a.m. until time of Memorial Service, 11:00a.m. Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Allen Chapel AME Church, 2498 Alabama Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20020