Elisa L Simmons

Elisa Leonora Small Gale de Simmons was born November 26, 1918, in Panama City, Panama and peacefully passed from this life on March 28, 2021. She was blessed to have lived 102 years before returning Home to Our Lord. Elisa was the daughter of Miriam Gale and Evan Sullivan Small. She was a loving wife and was married for 64 years to Oscar Llewellyn Simmons before he passed in 2006.

Elisa was a devoted and loving mother to her only child, Carlos Enrique Simmons. Elisa is survived by her granddaughter and husband Vivica Naela Miller and Aaron LeEarl Miller; and her grandson Carlos Simmons, Jr. She is also survived by 3 great-grandchildren: Breyona Nicole Simmons, Ancil Luca Miller, and Rafe Julian Miller. Elisa is also survived by many nephews and nieces in Panama as well as the United States. All of these she loved and touched deeply.

Elisa considered Sandi Simmons, her granddaughter’s mother, to be her very own daughter. Elisa met Sandi in 1968 and treated her as a daughter thereafter. Elisa and Sandi were constant companions through Sandi’s pregnancy with Vivica in 1973. Through those 9 months together, they formed a close connection that lasted for the remainder of Elisa’s life.

Elisa was known for her elegance, generosity, and dedication to family. She was often asked for the secret to her vitality and youth. Without fail, she would smile and respond by saying “plenty of rest.” She loved movies, chocolates, dancing, playing cards, puzzles, visiting with friends, and taking care of her family. After her son Carlos joined the Air Force in the 1960’s, Elisa traveled often to New York for visits. She also lived in New York for several years and worked at Merrill Lynch in an administrative role. After returning to Panama in the 1970’s, Elisa maintained close contact with her stateside family through hand-written letters and visits. Anyone that visited her home noticed that she was a meticulous housekeeper. If you visited on a Sunday, you may have been lucky enough to catch her listening to Casey Kasem’s “Top 40” and dancing to pop music.

Elisa remained in Panama until moving to Houston, Texas in 2016, where she lived with her granddaughter and family until she passed away surrounded by love. In her final years, she was able to satisfy her love of children by spending time each day with her great-grandsons Ancil and Rafe. Elisa also formed a close friendship with her caregiver Claire Brown. Claire could often be overheard coaxing Elisa to dance and laugh at silly jokes. The family is forever grateful to Claire for her friendship and the loving care she provided to Elisa.

Elisa was also an active member of Rio Abajo Methodist Church. She kept the “Prayer for Protection” as the bookmark for her personal Bible. It reads, "The light of God surrounds me; The love of God enfolds me; The power of God protects me; The presence of God watches over me. Wherever I am, God is!" Elisa used her red pen to underline these words: light, love, power, presence, and “God is,” which underscored her faith in Him and the Eternity of Love He offers us.

We will celebrate her life on April 11, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at Brookside Funeral Home - Cypress Creek, 9149 Highway 6 North, Houston, Texas 77095. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.