Bessie Mae (Whiteside) Simmons

Mrs. Bessie Mae Whiteside Simmons was the fourth child born to the late Rev. Richard Whiteside and Greathen Johnson Whiteside on March 20, 1935, in Colbert County, AL.

Bessie accepted Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of Mt. Olievia Missionary Baptist Church all of her life. She taught Sunday school to young children, served on the Missionary Society, and sang in the Senior Choir. Bessie’s unwavering faith walk and devotion to the Lord was an inspiration and example to all. Bessie faithfully showed everyone how to live the word of God every day through kindness and love.

A graduate of Leighton Training School, Bessie was employed as a domestic worker and child care provider for the Kilgore family. After working for them for over 45 years, she developed a special relationship with the family for the duration of her life.

Bessie was joined in holy matrimony to the late Harold Simmons on March 20, 2007. They thoroughly enjoyed life together for many years before and during their eleven years of marriage until God called Harold home.

Bessie embodied the wholeness of God’s love. She shared her knowledge, wisdom, compassion, and love without reservation with family, friends, and anyone who knew her. She was kind hearted and sweet. She demonstrated how to walk out a life in Christian love. Bessie departed this life on May 22, 2025.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Simmons; her parents, Rev. Richard and Greathen Whiteside; her siblings and in-laws, Willie D. Whiteside (Gertha), Edward Lee Whiteside, Janette Whiteside Jackson (Joe Jackson), Christine Whiteside, Richard Whiteside, Jr., Sanders Hill, Ernest Elliott, and two nieces, Janice Whiteside and Corsita Jackson Ball.

She leaves to cherish her memories: one sister, Bernice W. Elliott of Muscle Shoals, Al, three sisters-in-law, Mrs. Martha Whiteside of Detroit, MI, Ms. Olivia Simmons of Tuscumbia, AL, Mrs. Gayle Nall of Muscle Shoals, AL, and one brother-in-law, Carl Simmons(Wilma Jean) of Muscle Shoals, Al; seven nephews and five nieces, all of Detroit, MI: Mr. Tyrone Whiteside (Jackie), Dr. Hershel C. Jackson (Denise), Mrs. Eradell Jackson, Mr. Mike Jackson (Diane), Mrs. Debbie Jackson-Brown (Anthony), Mrs. Darlene Carter (Bernard), Mr. Maury Whiteside(Michelle), Mr. Ronald Whiteside,

Mrs. Cynthia Waltower (Eugune), Mrs. Carla Hayworth (Derrick), Mr. Douglas Jackson, and Mr. Deon Whiteside (Theresa); and a host of great nieces and nephews, extended family, cousins, friends, and many others who will always hold her dear to their hearts.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bessie Mae (Whiteside) Simmons, please visit our floral store.