Lessie Renee Simmons was born December 26, 1934 in Trenton, North Carolina to the late Jessie Bell Cox and Joseph Meadows. She passed away July 8, 2016, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. She was 81 years old.
Lessie grew up attending Jones County schools and ultimately graduated from Jones High School in Trenton, NC.
On September 1, 1972 she married the late William Alfred Simmons. The two spent many years in New York and New Jersey before making a home in Charlotte, NC.
In addition to her parents, Lessie was preceded in death by her husband William; son, Reginald Strayhorn of Washington, DC; granddaughter, Shakira Williams of Neptune, NJ; brother Isaiah Meadows of Trenton, NC; and sisters Pauline Lee of Binghamton, NY, and Gresta "Sue" King of Pollacksville, NC.
Left to cherish precious memories are her children, Rose Jackson (Tyrone) and William Arnold Simmons; grandchildren, Claresa Smith (Devin) of Charlotte, NC, and Shamekia Simmons of Neptune, New Jersey; brother, Joseph Meadows of Nashville, TN; sister-in-law, Barbara White of Yardley, PA; brothers-in-law, Robert Simmons (Patricia) of Far Rockaway, NY and Ralph Simmons Jr. (Shirley) of New Bern, NC; seven great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; a special family friend, Johnny Griffin of Kannapolis, NC and special neighbors, Karen and Ernest Iseli.
For those wishing to pay respects in Charlotte, NC, Grier Funeral Service will be open for viewings on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The funeral service will take place at 12 p.m. Saturday, July 16 at St. Stephen Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ in Trenton, NC. Internment will immediately follow at Haiti Cemetery.