Lucille Randolph Simmons was born to the late Jonnie and Liller Randolph on October 30, 1927, in Rossville, Tennessee; she was the youngest child born to that union. She was saved as a young girl at DeWitt Temple Church of God in Christ in Rossville, Tennessee.

Lucille graduated from Melrose High School in 1949 and married Frank Simmons Jr. on June 1, 1951. She attended Owens College (later renamed LeMoyne Owens College) before they started their family in 1952. To that union was born seven children: Reginald, Rita, Jeffery, Sharon, Janice, Eric and Arphelia.

Mother Simmons was a pillar of the Marianna Street Church of God in Christ, where she served under Pastor J. E. Rice, and later under Pastor J. T. McDonald. The church was later renamed St. James Church of God in Christ in honor of Pastor James Tab McDonald. Mother Lucille Simmons and her two sisters, Missionary Emma Green and Missionary Ella Mae Jenkins, helped transform the church from a wooden building to the current brick edifice named St. James Church of God in Christ, located at 673 Marianna Street. They helped accomplish this through selling candy, plate dinners, bake sales, contributing to church annual days, and other fund-raising activities.

Mother Simmons, during her 74 years of ministry to St. James / Showers of Blessings, has held the following leadership offices:

• Choir President (over 40 years)

• Sunday School Superintendent

• Church Treasurer

• Evangelist Missionary

• Pastor’s Aide President

• Church Mother

• Tennessee Fifth Jurisdiction Women’s Department Screening Committee

§ MCI - Missionary Candidate Institute

Mother Simmons did everything she possibly could to advance the ministry. She was known for her warm and inviting smile, loving embrace and undying loyalty and support throughout the church, family, and neighborhood. More than just her natural family, she was a true mother in Zion. She was often found working at home, in the district, and at the state level. All who knew her, greatly benefited from this awesome woman of God.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Frank Simmons Jr., December 2, 1967; and son, Jeffery Wayne Simmons, April 9, 2022.

Mother Simmons leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Reginald (Bobbye), Rita, Sharon (Gregory), Janice (Michael), Eric (Shelanda), and Arphelia (Thomas); and her sister, Hattie Dean, all of Memphis, Tennessee; a host of grandchildren, spiritual daughters, Dorothy Burnett, Shirley Patterson, Dixie Stokes, Karen Little, Josephine Scruggs, Roberta Barnes, Lorraine Cohen, and Mary Washington; spiritual sons, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, acquaintances, saints and loved one.

The family will receive friends Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at St James COGIC 673 Marianna St, Memphis, TN 38114. Celebration of Life will be Friday, May 3, 2024 11:00am at Gateway Church of God In Christ 2201 Ketchum Ave, Memphis, TN 38114

Internment will be in Memphis National Cemetery 3568 Townes Ave, Memphis, TN 38122