Mary Simmons

The Life of Mary Louise Simmons

Mary Louise Simmons, age of 82, entered God’s kingdom on Monday, April 27, 2026. She was born on June 28, 1943 to the late Mary L. Anderson and Roscoe Anderson Sr. She was the oldest of 8 siblings, 4 girls and 4 boys. She was known as “Eve” to her siblings, but to her grandchildren she was called “Mema” because she did not want to be called “grandma” so that she would not be referenced to as old. To many others, she was known as “Ms. Mary.”

Mary attended Georgia D. Tyler High School in Windsor, VA and graduated Class of 1961. After, she attended Key Business College which aided in securing her first job as a Secretary at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, VA. She furthered her education at Tidewater Community College to pursue a career as a Civil Servant in the Government. Mary became an Accounting Technician for the Naval Ship Engineering Center (NAVSEC), Army Corp. of Engineer, and Homeland Security Coast Guard where she retired after 34 years of service in the government. Afterwards, she went into other business avenues such as a Real Estate Agent with Wain Wright Real Estate. In addition, Mary started her own Travel Agency known as “Empress Anderson’s Travel.” Her ambition led her to  side businesses including mortgage financing, selling gold, and being a Tax Accountant where she was known as the “Tax Lady.”

Mary was a woman of love, care, integrity and wisdom. She believed in The God of Heaven & Earth and that Jesus Christ was her Lord & Savior. The Lord blessed Mary with a beautiful and prosperous life where she loved to travel to many islands in the Caribbean, with Bahamas being her favorite, to see God’s clear blue waters. Also, she enjoyed gardening and seeing pretty flowers blooming with their vibrant colors in her yard. Mary was a people-person and loved to help people in any way she could whether it was giving life advice or helping a person with financial burdens. Her helping heart and soul led to her being well-loved by everyone she encountered. Mary would always say “I have a lot of children” due to the love and care she gave to friends and their children along with coworkers and their children. She always believed that in this world “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”

Preceding her in death was her father, Roscoe Anderson Sr.; mother, Mary D. Anderson; brother, Roscoe Anderson Jr; daughter, Sonya D. Simmons.

Mary leaves to cherish her memories: Daughter, Nina M. Williams of Zuni, VA; Grandchildren; Jessica L. Williams of Portsmouth, VA, Jeremy M. Williams of Centreville, VA, and Isaiah W. Simmons of Suffolk, VA; brothers; Clinton and Bernard Anderson of Chuckatuck, VA, Aldo Antonio Anderson of Texas; sisters; Vivian Carter of Suffolk, VA, Elizabeth Council of Suffolk, VA, and Jewel Gould of Suffolk, VA., and dearest friends.

On Thursday, May 7, 2026, viewing will take place from 3-6pm at Shivers Funeral Chapel. At 12pm on Friday, May 8, 2026, a Celebration of Life will also be held at the Chapel. Please keep the Simmons family in your prayers.