Florene A. Simmons

Mrs. Florene Abernathy Simmons of Long Beach, Mississippi went to be with her Heavenly Father on June 20, 2026. 

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 61 years, Dr. Billy E. Simmons; her loving parents, Julius P. Abernathy, Sr., and Geneva McGraw Abernathy; and her brother, Julius Perry Abernathy, Jr.

Mrs. Simmons is survived by her son, Billy Craig Simmons, and her daughter, Charissa Simmons Mallonee, both of Long Beach, Mississippi; grandsons, Collin Franklin Mallonee of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Connor Simmons Mallonee of Sherman Oaks, California; and her sister, Frances Abernathy Cross of Long Beach, Mississippi. She is also survived by four nieces, Julianne Cross (David) of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Tracy Park of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Susan Glass Jaques (Joel) of Woodwork, Louisiana, and Kathryn Sullivan Kruger (Jonathan) of Warrenville, Illinois; three nephews, Donald Joseph Cross of Vicksburg, Mississippi, David Kimball Abernathy of Edwards, Mississippi, and Thomas W. Sullivan (Laura) of Maui, Hawaii; as well as several great-nephews and nieces and families, Mrs. Simmons also has extra special friends whom she considered her other children and grandchildren, Rev. Steve Wilson and his wife, Jane, of Brandon, Mississippi, their sons and wives, Robert and Jess Wilson and their children, Ella Jane and Jack, Andrew and Zoe Wilson and their child Emmett, and John and Sarah Wilson.

Mrs. Simmons was born on April 20, 1931 in Bolton, Mississippi and spent her early childhood there. She graduated from Hinds Agricultural High School in Raymond, Mississippi in 1949, and then went two years to Hinds Junior College. In 1951, she enrolled at Mississippi College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1955. During her teaching career she taught school in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.

Mrs. Simmons always supported her husband, the light of her life, whether he was teaching at the University or the Seminary positions, traveling extensively, or by his side as a pastor's wife. She enjoyed teaching both youth and adult Sunday School classes, serving on numerous committees, and particularly being Mission Study chairwoman for WMU for many years. She and Dr. Simmons both felt very blessed that the Lord provided the opportunity for them to serve Him in numerous places. It was especially gratifying to visit mission fields in several countries and see the wonderful way the Lord was using and blessing our missionaries. Many of these missionaries had been students of Dr. Simmons at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Mrs. Simmons will be remembered as a dedicated Christian lady who loved and served the Lord, and as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. 

A special thank you for her caregivers and friends, Michelle Fritz and Ester Heard, who took great care of her.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 9:30 am - 10:30 am at the Riemann Family Funeral Home, 19130 Commission Road, Long Beach. The funeral service will be at 10:30 am in the chapel. Interment will be in Biloxi National Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to: First Baptist Church, 300 North Cleveland Avenue, Long Beach, Mississippi 39560.