Mrs. Mary Jane Simmons, the daughter of the late Alex and Rebecca McKinnon was born in Robeson County, North Carolina on December 27, 1915. Mary received her education in the North Carolina school system, graduating from Oak Ridge High School. She dedicated her life to Christ at an early age. She grew up in the New Bethel Baptist Church in Rex, North Carolina.Upon relocating to Newark, New Jersey, she married her high school sweetheart, Simuel W. Simmons. To this blessed union, nine children were born. She united in fellowship with the Humanity Baptist Church where her husband, the late Simuel W. Simmons, founder and pastored. There, she was a very active and loving First Lady, and served in many capacities. She was a member of Ministers ‘Wives and Widows Alliance of Newark and vicinity; and the United Order of Tents #568 Virgin Mary of North Carolina. Together with her husband, Rev. Simuel Whitfield Simmons, they continued their work for the Lord and all of humanity.
