Mrs. Janie E. Simmons, 85, had her transition on Wednesday, March 22, 2017  at Abercorn Rehabilitation Center surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Simmons will be Saturday, April 01, 2017 at 12:00 Noon, from First African Union Baptist Church on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina.

Visitation: Friday, March 31, 2017, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM in the Adams Chapel, 510 Stephenson Avenue, Savannah, Georgia 31405.

Interment: Mary Fields Cemetery, Daufuskie Island, South Carolina.

Please convey your thoughts and remembrances of Mrs. Simmons by ordering flowers and signing the guestbook using the links on this website.

Life’s Reflection 

Janie Elizabeth Wiley Simmons, daughter of the late Richmond and Geneva (Bryan) Wiley Sr. of Daufuskie Island, S. C.  Early in her life she joined the First African Union Church and served faithfully until she became ill.

She attended Mary Fields Elementary School, where she had many teachers. However, she was the most fond of the late and most honorable, Miss Frances E. Jones. Janie loved school and was known for her impeccable spelling in competitions.

She was united in marriage to her grade school sweetheart, Willis Simmons Sr., on June 1, 1952.  To this union  six children were born: Willis Simmons Jr., Joseph Kenneth Simmons, Ervin “Rick” Simmons, Henry “Hen” Simmons, Clarence Simmons and Georgia Simmons, who preceded her in death. Mrs. Sarah Grant, a midwife, delivered the first five children. Clarence was born in Savannah’s Telfair Hospital; he was considered a high risk case because he was born breeched.

Janie distinguished herself as a loyal and devoted wife and mother.  She worked tirelessly to make things better for others. She aided other people’s children by encouraging them and helping them financially.  She was a primary homemaker. She made beautiful quilts from sacks, and sold eggs, deviled crabs, homemade wine and many other goods.  She was a very strict disciplinarian of her children, declaring that she will not raise children for “the chang gang.”  She was very loving and very firm at the same time.

Janie was very good with finances and opened bank accounts for each of her children at an early age.  She encouraged her husband to purchase more land so that “our children will have enough land when we are gone.”  She helped her cousin find land after the cousin returned home from up north.  Janie worked the field along with Willis. She stored food in two long freezes to make sure she enough to share with others who needed it, especially people with children.  She loved children but declared that they “must have good manners.”

Janie loved her community and served in so many ways. She was a member of the PTA and the Community Improvement Association. She was one of the founders of the Daufuskie Day Celebration under the leadership of Miss Francis E. Jones.  She helped raised a young cousin when her mother died. She was simply a Christian who demonstrated her faith and love through many, many acts of kindness.

On Thursday, March 22, 2017, heaven opened its gates to welcome Janie to external rest.  Family members that will always cherish her memories include her children; Lillie (James) Council, Willis Simmons Jr., Joseph (Mary) Simmons, Ervin (Mary)Simmons, Henry (Nikki) Simmons, and Clarence Simmons, 16 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grand, two brothers; Franklin(Ethel Mae) Wiley, Ernest (Christine) Wiley, one sister; Alverina Gibbs, two sister-in-laws; Mary Simmons, Ruby Wiley and a host of caring nieces, nephews, relatives and friends