“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4
We belong to God; not only for a few fleeting years that we call life, but for eternity. God is on both sides of the river. He walks with us during our earthly life and is there to receive us for our eternal
life. We are in God’s presence in life, death, and everlasting, yet we must cross the river to receive our crown of life.
Betty Jean Simmons was born on February 27, 1938, to the late Wash and the late Vivian F. Simmons. She received her formal education in the Liberty County Public School System in Hinesville, Georgia. There, she was also one of the first black girls to attend Bradwell Institute. She furthered her education in Palatka, Florida.
After relocating to Jesup, Georgia, Betty accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age and was united with the Church of God, under the leadership of Reverend Willie Brown.
Betty was blessed with five children: Elaine Jackson, Joann Mullens, James Simmons, Joyce (Anthony) Brown, and Mitchell Simmons.
In her leisure, she enjoyed doing puzzles, reading the newspaper, cooking, and enjoying family and friends. She was employed by Wayne Memorial Hospital as a housekeeper for twenty-seven years. She later moved to Brunswick, Georgia and worked at Medical Art Care Center from 1985 until her retirement in 2000.
Betty Jean Simmons lived a full life, but God saw she was tired, and the hills were too hard to climb. She quietly succumbed to the Lord on March 17, 2023. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Milton and Drucilla Paige, and her brother, Henry Simmons.
She leaves to cherish her memories: her five beautiful children; nine grandchildren, Brandi Moody, Willis Mullens, Jr., Katonya Mullens, Elishe Abray, Sabrina Johnson, Antonio Simmons, Antwan Simmons, JaQuambie Brown, and Caesar James Banks; twenty-two great-grandchildren, Joushay, Chris, Jalen, Patricia, Brandis, Brandee, Patricka, Jahara, Kaliq, Khanijha, Shania, Autumn, Ulee, Saryniti, Semaj, Miasia, Aysa, Au’Bree, Au’Lyse, Kayien, Khylen, and King; special nephew, Ellick (Caprice) Floyd; and a host of great-great-grandchildren, cousins, nephews, nieces, and other sorrowing friends.