Cleopatra M. Simmons

Cleopatra Simmons was born on October 17, 1942 in Newberry, South Carolina. She was the third child born to the union of her late parents, Reverend Benjamin F. Sumpter and Thelma O. Sumpter. Cleopatra was educated in various school systems in South Carolina, and she graduated from Burke High School in Charleston, South Carolina in 1959. While in high school she played the clarinet and participated in the band. 

At an early age Cleopatra accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. She was baptized while still living in Newberry, SC. After her family moved to Charleston she became affiliated with Mount Zion AME church where her father preached and later became a Presiding Elder. Cleopatra’s family has an over 200 year 

association with this church and has family members still worshiping there today. 

Cleopatra met and married Raymond B. Simmons, Sr. The young couple relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To this union four children were born. Raymond (RB), Glenn, Marland, and Tahnee. 

Cleopatra was preceded in death by her husband, whom she capably aided in his business concerns. She had worked as an administrative assistant in other businesses, but ultimately concentrated her efforts on Simmons Maintenance, their family business. Here she handled everything including payroll, bill pay, contract management, taxes, and employee relations. Her ability to multitask became an invaluable asset to the company which has allowed it to grow and sustain itself for many years. 

Cleopatra loved music. In addition to playing the clarinet, her

mother taught her to play the piano. She enjoyed the unity of the

collective sounds that made unique harmonies. Later in her life she delighted in teaching her grandchildren how to “stroke the keys” to create wonderful melodies. She also enjoyed and participated in modern dance. Music and dance allowed Cleopatra to learn that great things could be accomplished with a collaborative effort. 

Although work was central to her life, Cleopatra got to pursue other interests as well. She delighted in riding her bike throughout Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed sewing different outfits for special occasions for herself and other family members. Along with her husband Raymond, she was able to travel throughout the United States, and many times back and forth between Philadelphia and Charleston. She also enjoyed international travel and was able to visit Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada amongst other travel destinations. 

Cleopatra enjoyed a mostly healthy life. In her later years she developed various illnesses and ailments that slowed her mobility, but never muted her spirit or trust in God. She enjoyed good conversation and had a friendly laugh and an encouraging nature at all times. On Friday September 16, 2022, Heaven sent it’s Angels to bring home one of their own and Cleopatra quietly left to go to that House not made with hands, where she can celebrate with the ancestors in the presence of our Savior. She leaves to celebrate her life, her four children, Raymond B. Simmons, Jr. (Wendy), Glenn Simmons (Koralisa), Marland Simmons, Tahnee

Simmons; six siblings, Thelma Craig (Irvine), Benjamin F. Sumpter (Shirley), Rosemarie Washington (Samuel),

Marcus Sumpter (Louise), Vandrena Vanderwaall, and Trudi Davis; ten grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

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