Emma Simmons Williams

Emma Simmons Williams Highly Respected Church Usher Emma Simmons Williams, 87, 205 W. 20th St., passed away Saturday, March 10, 2007, at Saint Vincent Health Center. She was born May 29, 1919, in Heidelburg, Miss., daughter of the late James and Rebecca Simmons. She was a resident of Erie for 58 years. She retired from Saint Vincent Health Center in 1993 after 35 years of service where she worked in the Housekeeping Dept. After moving to Erie in 1948 she united with the Second Baptist Church and later became a charter member of Antioch Baptist Church. She was currently a member of the House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church where she served on the Senior Usher Board and Missionary Society before her illness limited her from serving. Emma’s passion was ushering and to serve as a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord. She could often be found serving at funerals around the city. It gave her comfort to be able to comfort others in their time of need. She received awards for distinguished service to the Erie Community from the House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church, St. James A.M.E. Church and Victory Christian Center. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Eva Nell Williams; two sisters, Ruby Lee Jones and Annie Mayes; seven brothers, Levi, Isom, Ivory, William, Preston, Percy and Vern Simmons; two grandsons, Charles Lofton and Emory Dean Williams; and a great-granddaughter, Shakari Lofton. Emma leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 66 years, John D. Williams; a son, James E. Williams (Shirley Bradstock); four daughters, Lillie Jewel Lyons, Ophelia Williams, and Lavita Johnson and husband, Minister Dwight Johnson, all of Erie, and Philomena Hunter and husband Ambus “Bay”, Twinsburg, Ohio; two brothers, Reverend Freeman Simmons and wife May, Spokane, Wash., and James Simmons and wife Lisa, Baton Rouge, La.; two sisters, Hazel Hunter and husband Bobby, Chicago, Ill., and Letha Mae Magee, Hattiesburg, Miss.; twenty-two grandchildren, including Janson Williams (wife Pamela) and Maurice Williams whom she raised; ninety great grandchildren; forty-four great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Friends may visit with the family Friday, 2 to 9 p.m., at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church, E. 21st and Holland St. A funeral service will be held Saturday, 1 p. m., at Antioch Baptist Church, 160 W. 20th St., officiated by Rev. Michael Coles and with Rev. Dr. Allen B. Green as eulogist. Interment in Erie Cemetery. Funeralization by Law Funeral Home, 1861 Buffalo Road. Sign the guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits.