Stephanie Schnita Simmons

I miss you, Steph. More than words cannot say.

I just found out about Stephanie's passing yesterday with my daughter and son. who also loved Steph. I met Stephanie at Radford University...and we have been friends ever since. The last time I saw her she came to visit and stayed with me and my family.
Always full of life and laughter...my heart is broken. I loved Steph dearly and will truly miss her.

Last year was my first year teaching at Charles H. Flowers high school and Stephanie immediately made me feel welcome. We would chat in between classes and share a laugh. She was kind and supportive, and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to know her. May she rest in peace with the knowledge that her goodness was appreciated by those who crossed paths with her, no matter how fleetingly.

My heart is full of sadness seeing Schnita’s passing. God has picked a flower from the garden of life to plant in His heavenly garden. I pray that her family and close friends are comforted through Jesus Christ words: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” John 14:1
With deepest sympathy

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. You all have my deepest sympathy. May God bless you all. With Love, Virgie Craighead and Family.

Dear Family
I would like to express my sincere condolences for your loss. Stephanie and I met at VCU and remained friends. She will be truly missed. Her laugh and her ability to make conversations with everyone she came across is what I will always remember. Hold on to your memories of Stephanie because she cherished her family
Lisa

Our dearest Stephanie, We enjoyed knowing, working out computer issues, laughing and praying with you. We love and miss you. Our deepest sympathy is extended to the Fizer-Simmons family. May God continue to bless, comfort and keep you during your bereavement and always.

Will miss Stephanie with the happy laugh and smile God has a new Angel.

SCHNITA will be sorely by missed by cousins Dr John Alvin Fizer, Dr Darwin Kyle Hayes and their families..Missing her laughter and smiles from Fizer Hayes family get together and her dear friend, cousin Joan Patterson..may she rest in Heaven.

Dear Family,

Words cannot express my sorrow. Both being from Roanoke, Stephanie and I met and were roommates at VCU 41 years ago. We graduated, and years later, we reconnected in our new home state of Maryland. Working in two different school systems our reconnection was instantaneous and joyous.

I will miss my dear friend.

With deepest sympathy,

My sincerely, heartfelt sympathy to Stephanie's family. I've known her since we were 8 years old at Harrison elementary. Always a beautiful spirit. May God comfort the family and may He usher Stephanie to everlasting peace.

Stephanie and I worked together for over 15 years. I was deeply saddened by the news of her passing. Her presence will be sorely missed. She was liked and respected by all who knew her. The students who had her in class have been profoundly touched by this tragedy.You can take some solace in the good and lasting work that Stephanie did in her too brief lifetime . The result of her outstanding teaching and her beneficial influence on students will live on.Her students, in a very real sense , are monuments to Stephanie`s life and dreams. You have my heart felt sympathy during this difficult time. Coworker and friend Kathy Mobley

How sad I was to hear of Miss Stephanie`s Death´s . I feel privileged to have counted her as a friend for a short time I get to know her and care for her . She was such a competent caring and respectful speech pathologist who sincerely give of her self the children with love . Miss Stephanie has left behind the memorial of charming as a generous woman . please extend my condolences to all the members of your family . may the peace of God rest upon you all.
sincerely Orleen Igwe-HHN

I knew Stephanie from high school. We were friends and laughed together and had fun when we were not studying. We saw each other two or three times during life, but lost touch. I’ll miss her very much. She was a wonderful person with a sweet soul. Prayers for her family. ❤❤

In loving memory.

I offer my sincere sympathy to Stephanie´s family & friends. I had the pleasure of meeting her through a mutual friend while she lived in Roanoke. I especially remember her unique voice & how she lived to laugh! I admired her determination to meet the goals she set for herself. May the Lord strengthen & comfort you all.

Stephanie was a sweetheart. Prayers to the family.

Steph, my sista, my friend, how I miss praying, laughing and talking with her!
I have known Steph in excess of 20 years, initially as colleagues in the SPED CRI PROGRAM and ultimately becoming close friends.
We shared many unauthorized pot luck luncheons in the CRI classroom along with our CRI staff , laughing, talking and eating! Those were productive and fun times.
Steph was a phenomenal Speech Pathologist with the ability to engage and inspire our team as well as assist us in developing our own competency levels to ensure academic student growth. She worked tirelessly to assist students requiring additional support. Steph also worked collaboratively with parents, many times at the expense of extending her work day.
Steph and I talked almost daily by phone after I left the CRI program for another school. We got together periodically with other colleagues at my home for food, fellowship and fun. Sometimes she would laugh so hard, she´d say her "syncope is kicking in". She had such a hearty and unpretentious laugh, she could be hilarious and light up the room!
One year in 2016 ( if memory is correct), Steph spent Thanksgiving with my family and me, we had a ball, eating , talking and laughing and reminiscing about our childhood holiday. She talked about her mom and auntie(s) in the kitchen socializing while preparing and cooking Thanksgiving dinner. We stayed up late talking and laughing until almost daylight, that was fun.
We called each other almost nightly while viewing either Chris Cuomo on CNN or Rachel Maddow on MSNBC to analyze 45 and the state of affairs here in the USA. CNN and MSNBC had nothing on us, we could analyze with the best of them, we enjoyed politics as arm chair politicians.
I really do miss Steph, my friend, my sister.
To the family, pls know that y´all remain in my prayers and may the LORD give you comfort, strength, peace and healing during this sad season.

From one cousin to another cousin:
Death leaves a heartache
No one can heal
LOVE leaves a memory
No one can steal!

Cuz, RIH

From one cousin to another cousin -
Death leaves a heartache
No one can heal
LOVE leaves a memory
No one can steal!
Cuz, RIH

I met Ms. Simmons 20 years ago. I was a young mother with a 3 year old daughter (Tyriana) who needed help with articulating her words. The county provided services for pre-schoolers and guess who was assigned to work with my daughter? Ms. Stephanie Simmons! She was a top notch professional and loved her job. My daughter aged out of the program at the age of 5 but we still kept in touch. She was a true friend of our family who I will deeply miss. She always wanted to hear the latest on all four of my kids. Ms. Simmons attended my daughter´s sweet 16. Ms. Simmons was ecstatic when she learned her former speech student would be the first African American student to deliver the student commencement speech at The George Washington University before an estimated crowd of 25,000 people. My daughter stood on the National Mall and delivered an eloquent speech. I would always remind Ms. Simmons if it were not for her stellar speech expertise this would not have been possible. She would respond and so, "Oh Mrs. Evans!" Ms. Simmons was also over the top when she found out my second oldest would be attending Virginia Commonwealth University. My entire family will miss her. She never ended a phone call or a text without making sure she asked about Mr. Evans (my husband). I wish we had more time for long conversations, laughter, text, and summer pizza days at her home. Tyriana is now working on defending her thesis May 2021. We had plans for Ms. Simmons to be included as a guest and participate via Zoom. God knew otherwise. We will never forget Ms. Simmons and will always be thankful to God for allowing us to meet 20 years ago.

Steph and I met as Freshman in college and have been friends ever since. I will always cherish the countless laughs and conversations we shared through the years. It was a blessing to have known you. May the peace and comfort of the Lord be with your family. RIH my dear friend- Julie

Rip - Steph you were away a beautiful person with a dynamite smile every time I ran into
at work. But I know You are in a better place. So take your rest knowing you will be missed by many....love you and smile on RIPOHHS.

We were co workers, neighbors & friends. I was there when you needed me..a riding partner or just go to subway. I´m glad your know longer in pain. I will miss you until we meet again my friend

I´ll miss our conversations, your phone call and our dining out it was great to have known you - deepest symphony to your family

Stephanie and I have been friends for over 40 years. Stephanie would light up a room with her radiant smile and contagious laugh. I was not able to see Stephanie a lot because she lived in Maryland, but we would talk on the phone for hours each time we talked I will miss Stephanie.

Sorry to hear about your love ones passing, you my prayers and condolences.

My sincerest condolences to the family. I spent many play dates with Shinita on Gilmer Ave. with my aunt Claretta. Fond memories. RIH

Simmons and I worked together for more than ten years. She had a laugh that was infectious! I always appreciated her genuine concern. My condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.

The world, unfortunately, grew dimmer on December 17, 2020. What an incredibly wonderful light you were, Steph, to all who knew you! I miss you terribly and always will. Thank you so very much for all the goodness you brought to my life!

I went to school with Stephanie I remember her as always having a sweet smile on her face and I considered her as a friend. I am so sorry for the families loss and will keeping them in my prayers.

Stephanie was a selfless classmate & educator ... determined to ensure the tide lifted all boats (people). RIP!

My friend Stephanie I will truly miss You, we always had so much fun and your laugh, and the laughs You gave us. I loved our Girls Nights, our talks and texts on the phone. I was so looking forward to You coming back to Roanoke but not this way. You Blessed us in so many ways, my Angel rest in peace now.