Psalms 23:6“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

Evelyn Idell Murray was born April 17, 1932, to Hattie Howard and Andrew Alfred Murray, in Loranger, LA.  She transitioned to her heavenly home during an afternoon nap at her daughter’s home on December 20, 2023.

Evelyn was raised by her paternal grandparents Herbert S. Murray and Iola G. Murray in Loranger.  She attended Baldwin Chapel A.M.E. Church and acknowledged Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at an early age.   Evelyn was a faithful member of Greater Greene Chapel A.M.E. Church most of her adult life. While attending Greater Greene Chapel she was active in the E.V. Whitfield Missionary Society, was an Usher, Steward, Class Leader, and Sunday School Teacher.  She was a lifetime member of the Women Missionary Society and served as WMS president on local, district, and conference levels.  

After she experienced health challenges she relocated to Mason, OH and joined Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church in Forest Park OH.  Later she returned to Louisiana, lived in Zachary, LA and joined Greater Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church in Folsom, LA.

Evelyn married the love of her life Moses A. Simms, Sr. and to this union was born five children, two daughters and three sons. She owned and operated Simms Nursery and Learning Center.  This was a vital business in the community which touched and molded the lives of hundreds of children.  She was a devoted Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, godmother, and friend.

Her legacy of faith, compassion, and love lives on and is cherished by her children Rev. George Simms, Sr. (Elaria) of Mason, OH, Rev. Mary Simms Guy (Rev. Lloyd) of Zachary, LA, Mosetta Simms Ellis (Kelvin) of San Diego, CA, Rev. Andrew Simms (Rev. Margaret), and Rev. Dr. Moses A. Simms, Jr. (Rev. Karen) of Zachary, LA.

Also, her legacy lives on in 22 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren; 3 sisters, Paulette Walker, Linda Diane Robinson-Munns, and Rev. Mary Murray and 3 brothers, Paul, Richard, and Chalmadge Robinson, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Moses A. Simms, Sr., paternal grandparents Herbert and Iola Murray, her parents Andrew A. Murray and Hattie Howard Robinson, one sister – Margaret Alvina Wallace, two brothers – Charles Murray and Edward Robinson, one grandson – Shankel Gladden, one granddaughter -- Gabrielle Simms, and Sister-Aunt Dorothy Murray Hinton.

 Visitation will take place on Saturday, December 30, 2023, 11 am until 12:45pm. Evelyn‘s celebration of life at 1 pm.

Services will take place at Allen Chapel AME, 6175 Scenic Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA.
70805.  

Service officiated by Rev. James W. Palmer, Jr.

Interment : Southern Memorial Gardens, 3012 Blount Rd. Baton Rouge, LA. 70807.

Arrangement entrusted by MJR Friendly Service Funeral Home, Denham Springs, La.