Fannie Leonard Simmons
Fannie Simmons Obituary
~ The Obituary ~
Fannie Elizabeth Leonard Simmons was born the oldest daughter of Hilbert and Allie Mell Leonard. She was preceded in death by a brother, Hilbert G. Leonard who was stillborn.
She attended the Mullins Public Schools and graduated valedictorian of the Class of 1956 from Palmetto High School. She went on to Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, where she majored in Business Education and graduated Cum Laude in 1960. She furthered her education at South Carolina State College and graduated with a Masters Degree in Education in May of 1968.
Fannie began her 30 year teaching career in Williston, South Carolina in 1960 as a Business Education and Typing teacher. She left Williston and began teaching at Marion High School in Marion, South Carolina. She retired after 30 years in June of 1990.
During her teaching career she met Warren Winston Simmons and they married on January 1, 1965. From this union three sons were born, Warren Reginald (Kimberly), Tracy Leonard (Stephanie) and Tyson (Carnetha). Fannie was an extraordinarily loving and devoted mother who was the epitome of a “Boy Mom”.
Fannie was highly intelligent and this was reflected in her poetry, many dedications, published writings and teachings. Her penmanship was simply remarkable as it looked as if it were calligraphy. She dedicated her post-teaching life to volunteering and philanthropy. She was voted one of the Pee Dee Areas 100 Most exceptional women by the Girl Scouts of America and was also a Golden Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated . Joyfully, she created and hosted a radio program entitled, “Behind Locked Doors” for the incarcerated. Similarly, she was also a longtime Christian Educator and Trustee of Mt. Olive Baptist Church where she was a member for over 60 years. Hers was an amazing life dedicated to service whether that was to her family, her community or to her students. It all was done with class, poise, and love.
She leaves to mourn three sons, Reginald (Kimberly) of Atlanta, GA; Tracy (Stephanie) of Huntersville, NC and Tyson (Carnetha) of Charlotte, NC; three grandchildren: Morgan, Savannah and Winston. Host of cousins, other relatives and friends.
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