Rita Mae Simmons

A Celebration of Life for Rita Mae Simmons will be held Saturday, March 17, 2018, 11:00 AM at First Jerusalem Baptist Church, Jeanerette, LA. Rev. Ivan Ledet will officiate the service.

The family has requested that visitation be observed on Saturday, March 17, 2018, from 9:00 AM until the commencement of the funeral service at First Jerusalem Baptist Church.

She will be interred in St. Mark Baptist Church Cemetery.

Rita Mae Simmons was the second child of Ephram and Louise Mitchell. She was born on June 27, 1949 in New Iberia, LA.

Rita graduated from F.M. Boley High School and attended Grambling State University.

Rita accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized at St. Mark Baptist Church. She was a Member of Jubilee Nations Christian Ministries where she served on the Board of Directors and served as a Financial Assistant.

Rita seemed to always be working on a home project. She had the gift of painting…especially her family members. She also enjoyed sewing, flower arranging and baking cheesecakes (her nephew Jamon LOVED them). Rita was the first woman and first African American woman to be hired by the United States Postal Service in Jeanerette, LA where she retired after 32 years of service and became affectionately known as the "mail lady".

She leaves to cherish loving memories her husband, John Simmons, Jr., her son Eddie Williams, Jr., one grandchild, Mali Williams,  three sisters, Sandra (Steve) Thibodeaux of New Iberia, LA, Vernell Mitchell of Jeanerette, LA and Avis (Jeffrey) of Baton Rouge, LA, one brother, Eric Mitchell, nephews, nieces and a host of cousins and loved ones.

Rita M. Simmons was preceded in death by her parents, Ephram and Louise Mitchell, her brother, Leroy Mitchell and her sister, Roanna Mitchell.

MK DIXON Funeral Home is in charge of final arrangements, 211 Main Street, Baldwin, LA 70514, 337-940-9253, www.mkdixonfh.com