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Obituary for Laurine Simons
Laurine Simons
A Celebration of her life will occur
Monday
November 16, 2015
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven, and a time to die.” –Ecclesiastes 3:1
at Vine Memorial Baptist Church 5600 West Girard Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19131
Viewing: 10:00 a.m. Service: 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers the family appreciates your donations to
Philabundance Hunger Relief Organization 3616 S. Galloway Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
www.philabundance.org
The Interment will conclude at West Laurel Hill, Cemetery Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Life Story Laurine C. Simons
Sunrise: December 14, 1931 - Sunset: November 7, 2015
Laurine Cotten Simons was born on December 14, 1931, in Enfield, North Carolina. She was born the seventh child and second daughter to the late James and Bertha Cotten. She was raised by her parents and they instilled in Laurine values that would guide her life and her faith in God. Laurine’s life exemplified the rewards of hard work, the importance of education, respect for neighbors, service to the community and excellence in all she did.
She met her husband, the late Samuel Kirkland Simons in North Carolina and they courted, and married on September 11, 1955. Out of their union, Samuel and Laurine were blessed with one child, Kirkland Simons.
Laurine attended North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics, and graduated in 1955. Laurine was recognized in the 1954-55 Edition of “Who’s Who Among Students” in American Colleges and Universities. While in college she served as an usher in vesper service and joined the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
In 1956 Laurine did a twelve-month dietetic internship at Freedmen’s Hospital in Washington, DC, specializing in nutrition and becoming a registered dietician. She worked for thirty years at three different hospitals in three different capacities: therapeutic, clinical, and administrative dietetics. She retired in 1986. Before and after retirement, while working with Dr. Theodore Duncan at Pennsylvania Hospital, Laurine wrote the nutrition sections for two books. Those books were, “The Good Life with Diabetes” in 1973, and “Over 55” in 1982. Her poem “God’s Power and Plan” was published in 1997 by the National Literary Library of Poetry.
Laurine joined Vine Memorial Baptist Church of Philadelphia, PA, on October 6, 1963. She was active with the Missionary Society, Deaconess Ministry, and served approximately twenty-five years as a teacher of the Sunday School- Adult Class II. She also manned the literature table in the church vestibule, taught in the church discipleship academy, and founded the Shut-In Companion Ministry.
Laurine was one of the founders of the Haddington Lane Association and served as Recording Secretary, Treasurer and President. She volunteered as a literacy coach in Philadelphia, worked with the Philadelphia Neighborhood Housing Services as a volunteer. She was also active with North Carolina A&T State University’s Philadelphia Alumni, serving as President, Vice-President, Custodian and Annual Fund Chairperson.
Laurine received several certificates of appreciation from the Sunday School Ministry and one from the Deaconess Board in 1994. In 2001, she was given the Mother of the Year plaque by the church, and an appreciation certificate by the Mayor’s Commission on Literacy in 1986. She also received a certificate of recognition in 1994 from Reverend Louise Williams for community service. Lastly, the Missionary Ministry gave her a service plaque from Circle 6 in June 2011.
Laurine enjoyed playing Pokeno monthly with her close family and friends. She also enjoyed going on bus trips, browsing flea markets, attending homecoming for North Carolina A&T State University, and Do It Yourself (DIY) crafts (i.e. floral arrangements, picture framing, etc...). In addition to always being on the go Laurine was an avid reader. She was known for reading newspapers, magazines, books and journals, and snipping information to be shared with friends and loved ones. Lastly, Laurine looked forward to her annual New Years Day Brunch where she would invite family and friends to her home for food, fun, fellowship and opening of gifts.
Laurine was preceded in death by her parents, the late James and Bertha Cotten, her sister, Margie Tillery, and her brothers, James, Chester, Revon and Roger Cotten. She is survived by, her son, Kirkland Simons, Sr., daughter-in-law, Brenda Simons, granddaughter, Dominique Simons-Bennett, grandsons, Kirkland Simons, Jr., and Joshua Bennett, great-grandson, Korey Isaiah Simons, brothers, Manuel and Hosea Cotten, step-brother, Charles Perkins, and sisters-in-law, Annette Perkins, and Verlie and Alice Cotton, plus a host of nieces, nephews and cousin
Scripture under Picture: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven, and a time to die.” –Ecclesiastes 3:1
