Ernestine Levlon Simmons

Ernestine “Ernie” Levlon Simmons of Houston, Texas went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at the age of 91. Ernestine was born on April 19, 1931, in Houston, Texas, daughter of Ernest and Patsie Levlon. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Eugene (Gene) Hubert Simmons of nearly 46 years and her parents. Ernestine is survived by her son Barry Simmons and his wife Ximena and their son Dirk and wife Ashley, her son Steven Simmons and his wife Lisa and their son Chris and wife Elizabeth and their children Colton and Mackenzie, and their son Phillip.

Ernestine was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a dedicated Christian that served the Lord as a Minister of Childhood Development at Willow Meadows Baptist, Metropolitan Baptist, and 1st Baptist Church of Alvin. Ernestine regularly taught Sunday School workers at Glorieta, Ridgecrest and other national conferences that the Baptist Sunday School Board asked her to. She enjoyed the young children of the churches and planned many exciting events to bring them to church, learn about the bible, to be good Christians, and serve the Lord. She always carried a bible to help minister whenever there was a calling. She was a member of Bannockburn Baptist Church when she moved to Austin and made many friends there.

Ernestine also liked to travel. She and Gene took several trips, but one of her favorites was a trip to the Holy Land; and visiting the sites of the bible. They always brought things back for their sons, but once they were married, it was the wives and grandkids that got the attention. She loved her grandchildren; Chris, Dirk and Phillip and was so excited when she became a great-grandmother to Colton and Mackenzie, quickly getting her nickname “Gram”.

Ernestine loved her many Boston Terriers and always had one and sometimes two at a time. They were all her favorites, but one that stood out special to her was her “Maverick”. She would take Maverick to Assisted Living Facilities and Hospitals to bring sunshine to those in need of a smile. Ernestine was a strong supporter of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and other Wildlife Support Groups.

Her family wants to thank those who have given so much to help her over the last year. Especially those at Brookdale Beckett Meadows and St. David’s Hospice. Two special people to mom were Alphonse Niyomugabo at Brookdale that always brought her a smile and Cathy Hilliard with St. David’s Hospice.

Visitation will be on Thursday, March 30, 2023, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Forest Park Lawndale’s Grand Chapel (6900 Lawndale, Houston). A celebration of Ernestine’s life will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023. The celebration will be officiated by Willow Meadows Baptist‘s Senior Paster Craig Taylor and will begin at 11:00 am followed by gravesite service at 12:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please remember Ernestine by donating in her name to the ASPCA or Willow Meadows Baptist Church.