Gertrude Simmons

Gertrude was born in Philadelphia on October 22, 1930. She was adopted by Albert and Nellie Brown. She was educated by The School District of Philadelphia. As a young girl, she attended Zoar Methodist AME Church. There, she met and married Odell Harrison Simmons on July 8,1948. They were blessed with four beautiful daughters: Renee, Ardella, Linda and Sharon who is deceased.   

When her children were in elementary school, she was very active in the Home and School Association serving as President for several years. She received a certificate from The Chapel of the Four Chaplains for Outstanding Service. Gertrude became a member of the Oak Lane Presbyterian Church in 1990. She became an Ordained Elder. She served many terms as a Deacon, several as a Trustee, and was their Treasurer for the Presbyterian Women of Oak Lane for many years. In addition, she was responsible for initiating their Soup and Sandwich Distribution Day to the community. Gertrude enjoyed being at Oak Lane Presbyterian Church making many good friends and participating in many activities.

Gertrude had various jobs during her working career. Her first job was as an elevator operator for The Benjamin Franklin Hotel in 1952. A few years later she became an elevator operator at City Hall. She then worked as a cashier at Sally Shops Boutique for six years. Her last employment was with Girard Bank which later became Mellon Bank. She retired in 1990 as Teller Supervisor. After leaving Mellon Bank, she worked for Liberty Bank for two years retiring in 1992.

Gertrude enjoyed traveling around the world. Cruises were her favorite choice of traveling. She especially enjoyed traveling to foreign countries. She always said that God made a large and beautiful world and she wanted to see as much of it as possible. She especially enjoyed her trips to Africa, Europe, and many of the Polynesian Islands.  In her later years, she became interested in visiting cities that played a role in The Underground Railroad. After each of her many trips she would always bring a cat figurine or a cat pin back with her. She really enjoyed reading a variety of books. She especially enjoyed reading books about cats mainly those written by Lillian Braun.  Her family and friends would also bring her cat figurines or cat pins from their travels. She had quite a large collection of cats from all over the world.

On Monday, October 23, 2023, God called Gertrude home. She leaves to mourn: daughters, Renee, Ardella, and Linda; grandchildren, Kirk, Tyrone, Brendon and Venus; four great-grandchildren; and a host of other loving relatives and special friends.

Submitted With Love,

The Family

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