Regina Simmons

May 7, 1953 - December 19, 2021

Regina Deonn (Mitchell) Simmons was a loved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and more. Deonn was born Thursday, May 7, 1953, and was called home by the Lord on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at 10:21 AM. Deonn was the third child of Alphonso and Jessie Mae (Lundermon) Mitchell. She was born at Eglin AFB, Crestview, Florida and the family relocated to Lackland AFB, Texas in 1957. San Antonio would become home. Deonn was a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School and attended San Antonio Community College. It was while attending San Antonio College that she met her husband, the love of her life…Ralph Simmons. When she was growing up in San Antonio, she was active in the fashion and modeling community while working retail. Deonn also received her Certification as a Microsoft Specialist. This was accomplished while working full time. In continuing along that same path of Modeling and Fashion Design, she and Ralph relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina were she continued her education at the American Business & Fashion Institute thus graduating with Honors. They lived in Baltimore in the late 1970’s and it was there Deonn became an avid horseracing fan. She and Ralph attended numerous horse races but especially enjoyed the home based Preakness Race. Deonn was also a big sports fan and counted the Atlanta Braves as her most favored baseball team. When it came to football…The New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was the best. Deonn and Ralph moved to Charlotte, NC and built their life and business there. Deonn was baptized at Friendship Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC and attended in person services until her health prevented it, but her faith and belief never faltered. Her career field was Medical Administration. She worked for Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte for almost thirteen years and went on to work at Rowan Regional Medical Center for another thirteen years. She was a consummate professional and developed a host of close friendships and relationships through her work. Deonn also held a key role in the success of Simmons and Simmons, LLC. She served in multiple capacities in the family business that enabled them to expand and diversify. She had an exceptional business acumen. Travel was one of Deonn’s pleasures. She and Ralph took several cruises and went on many “adventures.” They attended the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, visited Niagara Falls, and always had fun. One of their most memorable trips was moving Tillian to Boston to attend college. They loved travel and went by plane, train, or automobile (and the occasional cruise ship). While we will miss seeing Deonn’s smile and hearing her voice, we will find comfort in remembering the full and wonderful life she lived. Deonn leaves a devoted husband, Ralph Simmons; loving sons, Tillian D. Simmons (Sarah) and Reginald D. Jacobs (Regina); a sister, Tracy Mitchell; brother-in-law, William Simmons (Cherrice); sister-in-law, Cynthia Simmons-Walton; Godmother, Ruth Burbridge; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and co-workers. She was preceded in death by her mother, Jessie Mae (Lundermon) Mitchell; father, Alphonso Mitchell; mother-in-law, Lela Mae Simmons; father-in-law, Seth Simmons; sister, Linda Patterson; brother, John Mitchell; sisters-in-law, Dorthy J. Burke, Mary J. Burney, and Toni M. Simmons; and brothers-in-law, Lonnie Simmons, Albert C. Simmons, Willie P. Simmons, Johnny Hearn Sr., Robert Burke, and Jerry Patterson. James Funeral Home, of Huntersville, is serving the family and obituary lovingly written by the family.