Violet Simmons was born December 7, 1933, in Washington, DC to the late Stanley Penny and the late Eva Bowman.  Violet graduated from Pomonkey Jr. Sr. High School in 1951.  She later attended Atlantic Business College in Washington D.C.

During the weekends and summer, Violet worked in the family store and tavern.  After graduating from high school, she worked full time in the tavern until she got married.  At that time her dad sold the bar (Penny's Tavern).  In July 1958 she was employed by the Charles County Board of Education as secretary to the principal at Pomonkey Jr. Sr. High School.  She served in this capacity until the end of August 1984.  In September 1984 to February 1995, she was employed with the DC Government as an Administrative Assistant with the Lorton Prison School System.  From February 1995 to December 31, 2002, she worked part-time at Metropolitan United Methodist Church.  During her tenure she received many certificates for appreciation and outstanding service.  She also received many awards for her tireless community service.  Violet was also very involved in local politics.  If someone was running for a political position and she thought they were an excellent candidate, she would become very passionate and dedicated to campaigning for them to get them elected.  She gave it her undivided attention.  She served on the School Naming Committee to name four schools (William A. Diggs Elementary, Theodore Davis Middle School, Mary B. Neal Elementary School, and St. Charles High School).  She served two terms as president of the Pomonkey High School Alumni Association, Inc. while also serving as chairperson on the scholarship committee for several years.

Violet enjoyed traveling visiting – Jamaica, Canada, Hawaii, Egypt, Mexico, Bermuda, St. Martin N.A., Colorado, Arizona, Georgia, Tennessee and many others across the country.

Violet was a very devoted family member.  Family was most important to her.  She enjoyed getting hugs from her "little people" (great-nieces, nephews, and grandchildren).  She also enjoyed getting together with family and friends at the family's outback kitchen.

In addition to her parents, Violet was preceded in death by her husband James Lloyd Simmons; sons Ronald Gregory Simmons and James Stanley Simmons; sisters Evelyn Howard, Ann Gray, Blondell Swann; brothers James (Jimmy), Charles (Sunman), William (Cabby), Wilson (Tom), Kenneth (Kenny), and George (Calvin) Bowman.

Violet leaves to cherish her memories – her daughter Inga S. Fewell; siblings Marguerite Harvey, Elaine Baker, Paul (Bobby) Bowman, Catherine (Liz) Thompson, Francis (Sonny) Penny; granddaughters Lorrea Duffin, Donna Simmons, Michelle Whitehead, Kaylynn Benallal, Alexis Ruiz, and Kendra Fewell-Hartling and grandson Marcus Simmons; great-grandchildren Ayana Williams, Aleesia Duffin, Ryan Duffin, Savannah Duffin, Jayden Whitehead, Miles Whitehead, Malia Whitehead, Brooklyn Whitehead, Julian Fewell-Hartling and numerous nieces, nephews, and other close relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Pomonkey High School Alumni Assoc., Inc., P.O. Box 192, Bryans Road, MD 20616 or Charles County Hospice House, Waldorf, MD.

Viewing 10:00 a.m., Service 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 11, 2022, in the Chapel of  Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, MD 20640.  Interment, St. Charles Cemetery.

On Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. please click on the link below to live stream the service.

Please make sure when viewing the services that the volume located in the right lower corner (where it says "live") on the viewing screen is turned up (the bars should be blue).

The streaming will begin after the final family viewing.  Therefore, there may be a delay before the service appears on the screen. Thank you.

https://www.thorntonfuneralhomepa.com/live-stream