Lorene Simmons

Family will receive friends on Friday, April 28, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church, 2048 Denune Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211. Interment: Woodland Cemetery, 118 Woodland Avenue, Dayton, OH 45409.

Lorene Simmons, 87, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. She was born on March 28, 1936, in Buena Vista, Georgia, to the late Rufus H. and Ocie B. Carter, and was the second of their six children.

Lorene was a graduate of Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, Ohio. She attended Portsmouth Interstate Business College where she received a Secretarial and Clerical Assistant Certificate. She also attended Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio where she earned an Associate Degree as a Radiology Technician. She worked at the Dayton Veteran’s Hospital in the Radiology Department for many years until she retired.

At an early age, Lorene joined Beulah Baptist Church in Portsmouth, where she sang in the choir. Her passion for gospel music, hymns, anthems, and spirituals allowed her to use her graceful gift of a lovely soprano voice.  In addition to her serving in church, she was a member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, attending annually and working as  the Office Administrator of the Academic Division. Lorene’s passion for singing developed in grade school and during high school, when she, her two sisters and a friend had a gospel singing group called The Four Mourning Doves who performed at various community events.

Lorene married the love of her life, the late Reverend Robert Mitchell Simmons, on November 23, 1985, and became First Lady of Centenary United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ohio where her husband was assigned as the pastor. Lorene and Robert were soul mates and best friends who enjoyed traveling the country together teaching about gospel music.

Lorene was beloved by the church members and very active at Centenary. She was proud to be their First Lady. For many years she served in the church choir and was dedicated to the music ministry. She planned multiple programs presenting national artists and musicians from around the country. She worked with the Methodist Women’s Group and gave spiritual support to all.

Lorene was always industrious, with a heart for serving. She was a generous giver of her time, resources and effort to her family and many others. After a trip to New Jersey to visit Aunt Alcie and working in her garden, Lorene also became an avid vegetable gardener which continued for most of her adult life.  She was an amazing cook who was known to host Sunday dinners featuring her famous recipes: macaroni & cheese, smothered pork chops, apple cobbler and sweet potato pie, just to name a few.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rufus and Ocie Carter, husband Reverend Robert Simmons, sister Florice Boggs, brother, Dozier Carter, and stepmother Doris Carter. She leaves to cherish her memory, a loving daughter, Youlanda (Kevin) Davidson, two grandsons, Kendall Davidson and Miles Davidson, three sisters, Ossie Henderson, Dorothy (Allen) Beal, Ruby (Richard) Grant, stepsister, Romie Langford, stepbrothers, Gregory Vaughn, Donald Beauregard, special adopted daughter and friend, Cheryl Taylor, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A celebration of life will take place on Friday, April 28 at Centenary United Methodist Church, 2048 Denune Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.Visitation will begin at 10am and the service will begin at 11am. Immediately following service, there will be a funeral procession to Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum, 118 Woodland Avenue Dayton, Ohio for the graveside service and committal at approximately 2pm.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lorene Simmons, please visit our floral store.