Theresa Houston Simmons

Theresa Houston (Griffin) Simmons Austin native and longtime local educator expired after a lengthy illness, Monday, July 17, 2006 in Humble, Texas, where she had lived the past few years. Born January 16, 1918 to parents Calvin and Julia Brown Houston. She was educated in the Austin Public School system, graduating from L. C. Anderson High School in 1936 and earned a B.S. degree from Tillotson College (now Huston-Tillotson University) in 1940. Mrs. Simmons taught in Kimbro, Calvert and Austin, Texas in both parochial and public schools. She retired from AISD in 1978 at the age of 60. This opened up other avenues through which Mrs. Simmons could continue to serve her community in the religious, educational and civic sectors. Mrs. Simmons held active membership in Deborah Grand Chapter (Order of Eastern Stars); Iota Phi Lamda Sorority (Beta Upsilon Chapter); Old L. C. Anderson Alumni; Huston-Tillotson College Alumni; Retired Senior Volunteer Program; Retired Teachers of Travis County; Conley-Guerrero Senior Center; The Passion Historical Society; J. J. Seabrook Neighborhood Association; Travis County Democratic Committee and most of all she continued to serve her church 19th Street Baptist Church. There she held positions in the Ladies Ministry, Deacons/Deaconess Ministry and Baptist Training Union. Mrs. Simmons is survived by her only child, Carolyn K. Hemphill (Jesse) of Humble, TX, grand children Monique Y. Hemphill of Houston, TX and Jared Hemphill of Austin, TX, two great grandchildren, Breon Jaré and Kayla Alise; nieces Jessie Mae Collins-Clark and Elizabeth Simmons Jerrell; a caring "second" daughter, Rhonda A. Cole, MD and other relatives and friends. A wake service will be held at King-Tears Mortuary, 1300 East 12th Street, Friday July 28, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 19th Street Baptist Church 3401 Rogge Lane Saturday, July 29, 2006 at 10:00 a.m.; interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery with Rev. M. C. Walker officiating. Service entrusted to King-Tears Mortuary, Inc., 1300 East 12th Street, Austin, TX.