Posts Tagged ‘Muriel Simmons’
Muriel Barnes Simmons: Born June 2, 1939 ~ Borne to God January 15, 2013
Muriel grew up on the East Coast the only child of Rev. Robert Willington & Mamie Barnes, baptized at her father”'s church, Mt. Sinai Baptist at an early age. At age 9, tumors began to develop in her nose, chest, arms, and abdomen. Some were cancerous and some benign. She was diagnosed with “Thalassemia Disease>” As she grew older she inherited a blood disorder that originated in the Caribbean, similar to Sickle Cell Anemia; for which there was no cure. She also had Lupus, Epilepsy, and Parkinson”'s Disease. This left her believing that she could die at any time. Throughout her 63 year battle she has had over 26 surgeries, however this did not stop her from living to the fullest and providing the same for her family. She graduated from Dunbar High School and Morgan State College in Maryland. Muriel has spent time traveling from one end of the country to the other in support of her husband”'s U.S. Navy [...]
“Grandma was on the syllabus!”
Read an excellent article about Muriel and her Family by Jacquelyn Blake in Southside Pride in 2004 at http://www.southsidepride.com/2004/06/articles/snowcones.html By Dallas Johnson When I started my block club and asked Open Eye Theatre to present a puppet show, Muriel immediately agreed to host us in her yard. When I called to say Madeline Douglas and I wanted to interview her on video, she didn”'t hesitate. When I asked her to be in the Snow Cone Cart skit, she said, “YES!”. Every time I called Muriel, this is how the conversation would go. I”'d say, “Is this an ok time to talk? You sound under the weather”. She”'d respond, “My body”'s not cooperating with me lately, but I can”'t bother with that now. I know you”'ve got something going on, so tell me what you need me to do and let”'s get it done!”. When I shared frustration that I wasn”'t drawing a lot of people to my meetings and events, [...]
“Grand Dame” of Phillips Community
Muriel Simmons & Joyce Krook By Barb Lickness, Colleague and Good Friend Starting out I can only say Muriel Simmons was the Grand Dame of all of the Phillips Community. I met Muriel in 1998 when I was assigned the Phillips neighborhood for NRP prior to the establishment of the 4 new Phillips neighborhoods in the early 2000”'s. She was the head of the ad hoc community committee to continue implementation of the sacred NRP program. Amidst the chaotic atmosphere that existed at the time she was the voice of reason and the force of calm. Once Phillips made the decision to become 4 new neighborhoods Muriel emerged as the leader and force to be reckoned with in the newly formed Phillips West. She wasted no time in getting to work. No, was not an answer Muriel accepted. If you showed her a door she would find the window and walk right through it. She brought neighbors together to form the new Phillips West Neighborhood Organization and brought in help to establish a new [...]
