Francine A. Simms – Monessen
On Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, the Lord came down from heaven above to take home his daughter, our precious loved one, Francine A. Simms of Monessen. Francine was born on June 19, 1945, to the late Frank Thomas and Lillian Ellis Thomas. She was a graduate of Donora High School and soon after married her husband of 56 years, Mack Simms, of Monessen. Francine was 76 years old. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Toni Clinton Briggs. Francine was loved so deeply by her family and friends, who will truly miss her. She greeted everyone with her infectious smile, donned with red lipstick and her welcoming and loving spirit. The only one that came close to, “beating God giving,” was Francine. She would give you the shirt off her back. When it came to dressing up, Francine was by far one of the “cleanest” ladies near or far. Her outfits were always accessorized with a hat, high heels and a purse; and of course, the long, luscious, beautiful, eyelashes. Francine really should have been the face of the CoverGirl eyelash commercials, for she was never without them. This is a tradition she passed on to her daughter and her granddaughters. Francine called everyone she came in contact with “Hunni,” but she herself was more affectionately known by her grandchildren as “Nana” and by her brother Rock, as “Bobbie.” One of her favorite sayings was, “You know what I’m screaming.” Francine was an avid card player. She enjoyed traveling, cooking large meals for family and friends and spending time with her grandchildren and great- grandchildren. When you think of Francine, try not to think so much about how she died, for it is a door that we all must pass through at some point of time in our lives, but more so think about how she lived. For she lived to make others happy. She lived to make others feel loved. Francine leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Mack Simms of Monessen; her children: daughter, Sherriye A. Winmon; sons, Gary R. Simms, Mack Simms Jr. and Justin Simms, all of Monessen; brother, Daniel “Rock” (Lois) Thomas of Donora; sisters, Bernice Penn of Homestead, Deborah (Jerry) Ingram of Alexandra, Va., R’ Wanda (Keith) Hogan of Cincinnati, Ohio and Barbara (Ernest) Maxell of Jersey City, N.J.; four grandchildren, She’Cholle M. Winmon, Elicia Smith, Zhane’ L. Simms and She’Carriye A. Winmon; three great-grandchildren, Kyler A. Winmon, Caleb Kolbeck and Moon Kolbeck; niece, Danyel (Corey) Butler of Covington,Ga.; nephew, Daniel Ellis Thomas II of Monessen; longtime soulmate, Clarence “Daddy” Hicks of Davis Boro, Ga.; and a host of other family members and friends. Viewing will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021 at First Baptist Church, 541 Allen Ave., Donora, Pa, 15033, with funeral immediately following at 1 p.m. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to HOUSE OF LAW FUNERAL HOME of Penn Hills.
