Obituary of Dorothy Simmons

Dorothy Ball Simmons, affectionately known as Aunt Dorothy and Mother Dorothy, was born on March 12, 1932, in Eastover, South Carolina. She was the third of eight children of the late Walter and Mary Jane Ball. Dorothy departed this life on October 14, 2023, at Lucy Korr Health Care Center in Chesterfield, VA.

Dorothy was educated in the South Carolina public school system. She married the love of her life, Willie Lee Simmons, and moved to Manhattan, NY. Never forgetting her spiritual roots, she joined Mt. Airey Church where she served on the usher board and later became Church Mother. Mother Dorothy remained a devoted member there until her relocation to Chesterfield, VA following her retirement from Nadelman Manufacturing Company. She was employed there from 1962 to 1989.

In addition to her parents, Aunt Dorothy was preceded in death by her son, Matthew Ball, to whom she was a devoted mother; her husband, Willie Lee Simmons; her four brothers, Moses, Leon, Hannibal, and Coleman Ball; her three sisters, Elizabeth Odom, Rosa Ball and Ruth Mae Whaley.

Dorothy leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memories, a daughter-in-law, Phyllis Collington of New Jersey; one granddaughter, Lakeesha (Craig) Campbell of North Carolina; two great-grandchildren, Kyla and Lawrence Campbell, both of North Carolina; one sister-in-law, Alma P. Ball, of Chesterfield, VA; nineteen nieces and nephews and a host of great and great-great nieces and nephews and other family and friends. She will be deeply missed.