Mamie Lou "Granny" Simmons, 84, of Pomona Park, peacefully entered the sunset of life on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at Northeast Florida Community Hospice - Bailey Center for Caring, St. Augustine. Mamie was born on Monday, October 17, 1932 to Roosevelt and Mattie (Goodrum) Barlow. She was a native of Jackson, Georgia and was educated in the Butts County GA School District. In the early 40's, Mamie along with her parents & siblings relocated to Pomona Park. On February 21, 1948, Mamie was united in Holy Matrimony to Willie Lee "Buddy" Simmons, Sr. in Folkston, Georgia. During her younger years, Mamie was employed with Crescent City Dry Cleaners and Newbold Fernery. In the early 70's, "Mamie" became an entrepreneur, to include farm labor contractor traveling the east coast, owner/operator of the Blue Diamond "The Blue Room" in the North 11th Street business district, Palatka. Mamie was a member of New Mt. Tamo Missionary Baptist Church of Pomona Park. She served on the Deaconess Ministry. "Granny" became a homemaker to raise her grandchildren. "Granny" was known in the community as the Best Cook Ever and often asked "do you want me to fix you a plate?"

In addition to her parents, Mamie was preceded in eternal rest by: husband, Willie L. "Buddy" Simmons, Sr.; brothers, George Sr., Whittie Sr., Theodore, and R.J. Barlow; sisters, Barbara Carey and Laura Mae Barlow.

To cherish her memories: devoted & loving children, Johnnie "Zeke" (Queen) Simmons, Sr., Linda Simmons, Willie "Luke" (Kathryn) Simmons, Jr., Roegina Simmons, Vernesia Simmons, Christopher Simmons, all of Pomona Park; Leon (Marie) Hill, Palatka; "like-a-daughter," Catherine Merritt, Pomona Park; "like-a-son," Robert (Ann) Williams, Palatka; 21 grandchildren including, Johnnie (Connie) Simmons, Jr., Yolanda (Flint) Brady, LaToya (Tommy) Robinson, Anthony Simmons, Quesandra (Anthony) Ward, LaShonda (Eddie) Simmons Watson, Terrance (Titeshwa) Simmons, Kelvon Williams, Chavarious (Tiffany) Murray, Shantae Hill, LaRon Moore, Raven Bryant, Victor Lee, Justin Strickland, Donnie Strickland, James Scott, II, Jason Scott, Sr.; 23 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Temperance M. Barlow, Welaka; aunt; Maudine Taylor, Jackson, GA; goddaughters, Connie Burton, Palatka, Lorinda Clay, Palm Coast; devoted caregiver, Margaret McRae, Palatka; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and caring friends.

Visitation of family and friends will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, February 10th at New Mt. Tamo Missionary Baptist Church, 33 Railroad Avenue, Pomona Park, Reverend James Vickers, Pastor, Officiating. Homegoing Celebration will be 2 p.m. Saturday, February 11th, at First Baptist Church of Pomona Park, 112 Holly Avenue, Pomona Park, Reverend Gary J. Munson, Pastor. Reverend Theodore McRae, Pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Federal Point, is the eulogist. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Crescent City.