Obituary of Cherry F. Simmons

Mrs. Cherry F. Simmons Mrs. Cherry F. (Eliga) Simmons, Age 81, of Elmira, NY went to be with her lord peacefully on Saturday, August 8, 2015 after a series of illnesses. She was born in Bainbridge, Georgia as one of the eight children of the late Ben and Erma Holt Elijah. She received her elementary and high school education in the Bainbridge Public School system. Mrs. Simmons was married to the Reverend Roosevelt Simmons, former pastor of the Frederick Douglass Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion church in Elmira. She was the proud parent of Mrs. Lillie (Bernette) Rollins; Ms. Shari A. Simmons and the late Arthur L. Williams II. She was the loving sister of Jennie R. Elijah and Ruby J. Hitchcock along with the late Dorothy L. Howard, Willie D. (Kate) Eliga, Ben (Cornelius) Eliga, Robert (Lula) Eliga and Raymond (Bernice) Eliga. She was also the proud grandparent of eight grandchildren, Michelle Rollins-Thompson, Paulette (Robert) Harriel, Sonja A. Williams, Arthur L. Williams III, Bernette (Kim) Rollins; Sibrina J. Nicholson; Jason (Nichole) Rollins and Roosevelt Alexander Simmons; a host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren. She loved all of her nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. She had a special closeness to her nephew, Phythias, who assisted her throughout her recent illnesses. Involvement in church and community work has always been a part of Mrs. Simmons' life; she was raised in a very strong Christian family. She always had a kind word and a warm smile for everyone. Mrs. Simmons was a member of the Frederick Douglass Memorial A.M.E. Zion church in Elmira New York where she was the former Local President of the Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society (W.H.&O.M.), former Treasurer of the Local Home Missions Department, Lay Council Member and Church School Member. She was also a former District Officer for the Western New York Conference of the A.M.E. Zion Church W.H.&O.M. Society. Her community affiliations include over 30 years of volunteering for St. Joseph's Hospital Pastoral Care Office; Former Chairperson of the Church Women United (CWU) of the NY State Ecumenical Development; Former active member of the Elmira NY CWU where she was the first African American President of the Chemung County CWU; Former Chairperson for World Day of Prayer; Former Member of the Chemung County Council of Women; Former Member of the Chemung County Council of Churches; Former President of the YWCA of the Twin Tiers Nannie Burrough's Club; and long standing member of the Elmira/Corning Branch of the NAACP. Mrs. Simmons' great works have been recognized throughout the years. She has received the following awards: Black Woman of the Year from the YWCA of the Twin Tiers; Woman of Achievement from the Chemung County Council of Women; Recognition of Service from the Western NY AMEZ Church WH & OM Society; Recognition Award from the AMEZ Church Albany District WH & OM Secretary of Youth; Appreciation of 26 years of service as a District Officer to the Albany District WH & OM Society of the AMEZ Church; Recognized for Outstanding Service by the Chemung County Office for the Aging; Recognized by St. Joseph's Hospital for years of outstanding service. Family and friends are invited to visit Frederick Douglass Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 402 Madison Ave., Elmira on Wednesday, August 12th from 4 to 7 pm. Her funeral service will be held there on Thursday, August 13th at 11 am. Rev. Michael Bell will officiate. Committal prayers and interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.