Mary (Mae Evie) Evira Brown was born on April 7, 1940, the second of four children, in Riverhead, New York to Deacon Hatcher Brown and Blanche Hughes Brown.

At the age of six, Mary moved to Ballsville, Virginia with her grandparents Deacon John and Mary Brown. In 1954, Mary moved back to New York, living in the Bronx, where she attended and received her formal education within the New York City Public School System.

In 1961 Mary Married Loyd Roy Simmons, Jr. and to this union, two daughters were born: Lanise Simone Simmons and Chenille Denise Simmons. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, godmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.

While in New York, Mary worked at Mt. Sinai Hospital and the United States Postal Service, retiring in 1992.

In 1994 Mary moved and had her home built in Powhatan, VA. During this time Mary returned to the workforce, securing employment with the Virginia Department of Corrections/Academy of Staff Development, retiring in 2010.

Mary joined the Mt. Pero Baptist Church, Powhatan Virginia, at an early age where her membership remains. Upon her return to Virginia in 1994, Mary was the church clerk at Mt. Pero for three years, after which she joined the church choir. She attended many churches while residing in New York, including the Greater Emmanuel Apostolic Church.

Our Beloved, Mary Evira Brown Simmons, affectionately known as "Mae Evie," departed this earthly realm and began her angelic ascension to heaven to rest in the bosom of Jesus Christ on April 28, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, grandparents, brothers; James Brown, Hatcher (Junnie) Brown, sisters-in-law, Bessie Brown and Rev. Rosalind Brathwaite and brother-in-law, Adolphus Braithwaite, friends: Josie McMillian and Essie Lee Rinehart.

Mary leaves to remember her with love and cherish her memory her two daughters, Lanise S. and Chenille D. Simmons, seven grandchildren, Loyd Brandon, Shanine Lauren, Guy Smith, Ashley JoNaye, Gabrielle Zhane, Shelby Evria, TaNiya Skye, nine great-grandchildren LaNaye, Darius, James Jr., Amiel, Aydrian, Omari, Kamari, Miori, Zyan; sister, Blanche Lucille Hoskins (Robert), sister-in law, Roberta Brown, goddaughters, Anitra Stanley and Tiffany Mays, godsons, Aaron and Darren Rinehart, bonus adopted daughter, Queen Moore, a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, other extended family, and lifelong friends; Mary (Miller) McPherson and Jean Pritchett.

A sister is someone who loves you from the heart

No matter how much you argue,

you cannot be drawn apart

A sister is a joy that cannot be taken away

Once she enters your life she is there to stay

In memory's life garden there are flowers of every hue

But the most brilliant of them all, dear Mary

Was the flower of me and you

Always in my thoughts and prayers

Love Lucille

Acknowledgements

The family wishes to express our deep appreciation for all acts of kindness shown to us during our time of bereavement. Thank you for your calls, texts, cards, and prayers. May God bless you and His love be yours to share.

Special thanks: her loving sister-in-law, Roberta Brown, Guy Smith, grandson-in-law, Carrie, Emily, Gracie of Gentiva for the compassionate care. Mary thanked God each and every day for placing all of you in her life.