JUILIA BOSTIC SIMMONS Obituary (1913

Family was very important to Mrs. Simmons. Known as "Aunt Julia" to many, she helped her nieces and nephews with the challenges of life, providing a home to some, cooking food for many, an supporting their educational and life dreams with resources and moral support. She traveled with nieces to colleges across the country; and she celebrated many graduations, weddings, and births. When family members were in crisis, Aunt Julia would be there; notably once at age 87, traveling by motorcycle to get to her special niece, Donna Kay Smith. Whenever passing through for a visit, Mrs. Simmons would announce, "I'm going up on Bostic Hilla|plant y'all, dig y'all later." When her health failed, Mrs. Simmons made her home with her granddaughter Angel Payton Harmon, always commending her for being a good mother; and encouraging Haley and Terence to be good children. Haley and Terence shared Pepsi Colas, mints, and favorite television shows with Aunt Julia; and they loved and cared for her with a child's heart. Every day, her heartfelt daughter, Rosalind Rivers, saw to her care at home and later in the nursing home. Even through the clouds of illness, they ate, talked, sang and prayed together. Aunt Julia would take her hand and say "thank you;" and she encouraged Rosalind, "Trust God; he'll make the way." Always, she loved her younger sister, Florence, whom she supported all the days of her life. Mrs. Julia Bostic Simmons was an independent "Proverbs 31" woman, who regularly said of her life, "I'm well satisfied." She had a head for business, hands to always "work hard," and a heart that was open to all of her family. More than all, she loved Christ her Savior, whom she trusted with all her heart, and to whom she prayed without ceasing on her long journey home. On January 30, 2011, a beautiful spring-like Sunday afternoon, flights of angels took Mrs. Simmons to her rest in the bosom of God. Mrs. Simmons is survived by her dear sister, Mrs. Florence Bostic Brown; heartfelt daughter Rosalind R. Rivers, granddaughters Faith Rivers (Perry) James and Angel Payton (Haley and Terence, Jr.) Harmon of the home; sister-in-law, Mrs. Mary Alice Snipe Bostic; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. She will be sadly missed by her loving family, dedicated church members, and caring friends.