Mary Ella Simmons Eaton age 90 passed away Monday, November 18, 2024, a cherished member of both Picayune and Columbia MS. She faithfully served God throughout her life.
Mary Ella Eaton is a native of McComb, Mississippi. She is the youngest of thirteen (13) children born to the late Mr. Charlie Carpenter and Mrs. Lula Thompson Carpenter. She is a graduate of Pike County Agricultural High School; Katie’s Beauty College in New Orleans, Louisiana; and attended the Charles Harrison Mason Bible School. She was an entrepreneur who owned and operated Mary Simmons Beauty Salon for many years, as well as owning a laundromat.
Mother Eaton was married to the late Professor Neely Simmons, Sr. and of this union five (5) children were born: David, Daniel, Olivia, Cynthia, and Neely, Jr. After Mr. Simmons’ demise, she later married the late Bishop Jesse “Dad” Eaton.
As a Missionary, Mother Eaton has served in many capacities: National District Missionary Unit Leader; President of the Executive Board and Secretary of the Mississippi Southern Second Jurisdiction Department of Women; District Missionary of the Columbia District with Supt. Fred Idom, Jr.; mighty Prayer Warrior of the National, State, District and Local assembly; and Church Mother.
In 2009, Mother Mary Eaton was officially designated, by the Jurisdictional Bishop A. V. Jordan, as the second (2nd) Supervisor for Mississippi Southern Second. Mother Eaton was officially installed as Supervisor in the 102nd Holy Convocation in Memphis, Tennessee on November 6, 2009, and has embraced that position for the past fifteen years.
To cherish her loving memories are one son: Pastor David (Frances) Simmons of Picayune, Mississippi; one daughter: Olivia (Ondre) Gooch of Lawrenceville, Georgia; eleven grandchildren: Nicole (Donavan) Taylor, Tiffany (Eddie) White, Jessica Harper, Jeremy Harper, Zachary Simmons, Stacey M. Simmons, Kimberly Knight, Marquette Magee, Taylor Kelly, Emily Taylor, Neely Simmons III, five great-grandchildren: Jadynce Alyce Taylor, Jordyn Ari Taylor, Bella Simmons, Sa’Riah Janai Simmons, Xzaviyon Antoine Felts, and a host of other relatives and friend.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, November 30. 2024 @11:00 a.m. at McDowell-Nance-Jordan Convention Center,120 Old Airport Road, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Entrusted to Brown’s Funeral Home. Register Book, Obituary and Driving Direction can be found on our website at www.brownsfuneralhomepicayune.com
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