Mother Matilda Orion Simmons

Mother Matilda Orion Simmons, age 87, passed from this life July 7, 2025. Mother Matilda, the daughter of the late Orion Roberts and Maria Roberts Hannibal, was born December 29, 1937 in Key West, Florida. She attended public schools in both Miami and Key West, Florida graduating from Douglas High School in 1956. At an early age while in school she enjoyed sports, cheerleading and basketball.

On June 23, 1956 she was united in Holy Matrimony to William Lewis Simmons, Jr. To this union, they were blessed with two children, William III and Yolanda. They were married for almost sixty-one years at the time of his passing on January 15, 2017.

Mother Matilda was employed by the Navy Exchange as a buyer and retired after twenty-seven years of service that ran concurrent with her husband’s thirty-year U.S. Naval Career.

Mother Matilda was a devoted matriarch whose quiet strength and unwavering faith anchored both her family and her church community. As a faithful member of Next Generation Christian Church, she cherished heartfelt conversations with Senior Pastor Dr. Brown during home visits. She found joy in playing board games with family and friends, and her love for hosting made her the quintessential chef and decorator-her warm spirit evident in every meal and celebration. A passionate fan of professional tennis, she also carried a deep appreciation for the sport’s grace and determination, qualities she herself embodied. Though soft-spoken, Matilda's love for her family and friends burned brightly; her quiet, strong, and determined presence is already deeply missed and will be remembered always with love and gratitude.

Mother Matilda leaves behind two children, William L. Simmons, III (Rita) of Conyers, Georgia and Dr. Yolanda F. Simmons of Jacksonville, Florida; three grandchildren, Lance A. Simmons, William L. Simmons, IV and Danielle N. Simmons; and three great grandchildren, Nevaeh S. Simmons, Lance A. Simmons, II and Symone M. Simmons-Roberts. She also cherished Runette D. Simmons and Ray’Mona Tumer. Mother Matilda leaves one surviving sister, Alvilda Jones of Atlanta, Georgia; two sisters-in-law, Helen Keyes and Marzetta James of Columbus, Ohio; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Northside is serving the Family.

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