Anna (Rice) Florence Simmons

Anna Rice Simmons, daughter of the late Rubin Rice and Della Beaty Rice was born September 15, 1924 in Union, South Carolina. She departed this life on January 7, 2023.

Anna accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age.  She was baptized at Bethesda Baptist Church in Union, South Carolina, where she sang on the choir. Also, Anna sang with a group called “The Rice Singers.” Anna attended the Union County Public School System and graduated from Sims High School in Union, SC. After the completion of high school, she moved to Jersey City, New Jersey where she joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church. At Mt. Olive, Anna continued to sing, joining the gospel choir, serving as an usher, and pastor’s aide. Always fond of singing, Anna was fortunate to be a contestant at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York. While in New Jersey, she attained a cosmetology license. And later, for many years, Anna worked in various roles at Provident Bank in Jersey City, NJ, retiring as a loan officer. 

However, retirement did not slow Anna down.  She returned to Union, SC and reinstated her membership at Bethesda Baptist Church.  She sang on the choir and served as a missionary.  As well, Anna was a pastor’s aide, and member of the senior citizens’ club. Anna loved gardening, shopping, dining out, entertaining, and talking on the phone. When you went to visit her, she would frequently ask “What we gon’ do next ya’ll?”

Anna was united in marriage to the late Fred Florence, Jr. To this union was born two sons, the late Fred Ervin Florence, and the late Edward Charles Florence. She later married the late Walter H. Simmons.

Anna was preceded in death by one grandson, Seth Edward Florence; and fourteen siblings – five brothers, Lester Rice, Hizzie Rice, Eugene Rice, McKinley Rice, and Russell Rice; and nine sisters, Pernetta Comer, Maude Love, Eva Rice, Mable Young, Hattie Jeter, Minnie Cotton, Fannie Gray, Martha Rice, and Inez “Nell” Sartor.

Anna leaves to cherish her memory five grandchildren, Dionne (John) Inman, Dwayne (Patricia) Florence, Tawanda Muhammad, Freda Florence, and Aulenthia Matthews; one step grandchild, Monifa James; eight great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, all of whom will sorely miss her.

Arrangements are with Community Mortuary, 361 Meansville Rd, Union, SC.

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