Julia Ann Simmons

Mrs. Julia Mitchell Simmons Johnson transitioned from labor to rest on June 7, 2024 surrounded by family and loved ones in Livonia, Michigan at the age of 89. A Valentine's Day gift to her parents, Julia Ann Goodjohn was born on February 14, 1935 in Salisbury, North Carolina. She moved to Detroit, Michigan with her college sweetheart, the late Louis E. Mitchell Jr., whom she met while attending Livingstone College in Salisbury. They had three children, Louis Mitchell III (Lou Ann), Gail Summerhill, and David Mitchell. She later married the late John T. Simmons. They had two children, Julie Ivy (Michael) and John Simmons Jr. (Sharlan) She is survived by her spouse of 28 years, former Ambassador of Liberia Martinus L. Johnson.
Julia was an avid gardener with a green thumb that was comparable to none. Her home was filled with plants that grew as though they were in a greenhouse or a rainforest. She took joy in turning annuals into perennials and bringing the plants that were being thrown out at stores back to life. Julia's love of science and learning dates back to her time at J.C. Price High School where she graduated as Salutatorian in 1952. After working for 16 years as a research technician, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Relationships and Masters of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Wayne State University.
Julia dedicated her life to helping others achieve their dreams. From 1987 to 2010, she served as the Director of Minority Recruitment and Prematriculation Programs at Wayne State University School of Medicine. In this role, she was responsible for planning staffing, organizing, and directing operations of the Office for Diversity and the Post Baccalaureate (Post Bacc) Program, as well as multiple programs for high school and college students. She was the Director of the Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) project, served on the School of Medicine's Admission Committee, and advised and counseled medical school applicants and students. Through her career, she developed and taught problem solving and study skills courses to medical students at Wayne State University and the University of Michigan. Julia was committed to the success of minority students in order to create a diverse and representative medical profession.
"Mrs. Simmons", as she was affectionately referred to by her many "life-long" students, nurtured and cultivated the careers of over 550 medical students who went on to practice medicine all over the country. Mrs. Simmons shared her love of learning with her "life-long" students teaching them how to study, how to excel on their MCAT, and how to pass their United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and Step 2, and Board exams.
Fundamentally, she taught them how to believe in themselves as much as she believed in them and then continued to support them throughout their careers. As one student noted in a thank you card, "you believed in me and pushed me when I was uncertain of my own abilities you inspire me to strive for excellence every time I am near you."
Julia is survived by her beloved husband, Martinus; her children: Louis Mitchell III (Lou Ann), Gail Summerhill, David Mitchell, Julie Ivy (Michael), John Simmons Jr. (Sharlan), Tonda Campbell, Joyce Johnson, Martinus Johnson Jr., Michael Johnson (Andrea), Michelle Johnson (Bob), and Jutta Michaud (Volker); her grandchildren: Leah Campbell (Joseph), Amanda Lopez, Kimberly Holmes, Annise Reynolds (Carlos), Michael Ivy, James Ivy II, Charles Ivy, and Morgan Simmons; Kristopher Campbell (Ashley), Justin Campbell, Syreeta Moore (Joseph), Selena Garnett (Mason), Kimberly Newton, Brandon Johnson, Daniel Johnson, Christopher Johnson (Nina), Carl Johnson (Erika), Alyse West (Kwesi), Dominque Alyse Michaud, Maurice Michaud, and Léonie Michaud; her great grandchildren: Erik Campbell; Emilie Campbell, Angelina Holmes, Amarah Holmes, Axavier Sheard, Ashton Sheard, Alisabeth Lopez, Isabella Lopez, Benjamin Lopez, Emi Reynolds, Kaley Campbell, Kasey Campbell, Breann Campbell, Brendan Campbell, Samaia Peek, Mekhi Garnett, Mikhail Garnett, Micah Garnett, Joseph Moore Jr., Jocelyn Moore, Cole West, Cameron West, Lorryn Johnson, and Valentine Michaud. She was preceded in death by her grandchildren: Jonathan Mitchell and Benjamin Mitchell, her sisters: Laura, Barbara, and Sandra; and her parents: William and Katherine Goodjohn. She often spoke of her children, nieces, grandchildren and great grandchildren as sources of joy in her life.
The link for the livestream of Julia Simmons' memorial service can be found here: Livestream Link
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