Betty Jean Simmons was a dedicated mother, grand-mother, and great grand-mother. She was a gracious and loving Christian and an honorable friend who survived Domestic Violence. Born one of six children to William and Ruth Simmons, she resided in Columbus, Ohio, until her death in 2006 (as a result of cancer).
Betty has four surviving children (which she often referred to as her two generations). Two children were born in the 1960's and two children were born in the mid-1970's. As a mother, Betty insisted that her children perform well in school. She utilized her own educational resources at home to review homework the children were assigned in public school. This assisted her children in overcoming deficits that often existed in inner city schools. Along with her commitment to education, Betty was an artistic soul. She was a professional cake decorator who provided mouth-watering and creatively decorated wedding and special occasion cakes to clients throughout Central Ohio. Additionally, she was an accomplished seamstress and hat designer/maker.
Betty Jean Simmons was a victim of Domestic Violence until the final incident in the home resulted in her seeking shelter at the Salvation Army. When openings became available, she moved her three children (a 4-year-old, a 5-year-old, and a 17-year-old) to the Choices Domestic Violence Shelter in Columbus, Ohio. She remained with her children for six months in the shelter. While in the shelter, she was provided legal assistance to file for divorce. Subsequently. she was connected with social programs through the shelter for women to re-enter the workforce.
Betty found gainful employment through the Displaced Homemakers Program in Franklin County. She was hired at Neighborhood House, Inc., where she later advanced from Assistant Bookkeeper to Human Resources Director. She was assisted in the promotion when she became the proud recipient of the Walter and Marian English Award. She furthered her education at Columbus State. Her eldest daughter also received the educational award. Betty Jean Simmons continued to highly regard education and stressed the importance of achieving the highest level of education to her children and children from inner city homes.
As a devoted Christian, Betty served faithfully at the churches she attended throughout her lifetime (at Church of Christ [also known as Brentnell] and Ephesus). Betty used sermons as a way to take dictation to keep her shorthand skills polished while she was unemployed. After she became gainfully employed, she continued to take shorthand during sermons to keep her skills polished. Betty participated in numerous activities at churches. She had a beautiful mezzo soprano voice. She sang in the choir at Brentnell and often traveled to sing solos throughout Ohio (and also sang duets with her daughters). She was a spirited advocate for justice and a prayer warrior. One of her later passions in the ministry was healthcare. Betty was director of the healthcare committee and worked tirelessly in the area of breast cancer awareness.
Betty survived breast cancer. Later she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Her oncologist office prayed with her during each treatment and Betty lived with Stage IV ovarian cancer for five years following those treatments. She later developed a brain tumor which resulted in the necessity of her spending time in rehabilitation. Upon learning mobility with a wheelchair, Betty continued living a high quality of life until her waning abilities resulted in her being home-bound. She always looked for the good in people and sought to help everyone she could, even until the last two weeks of her life (when she delivered gifts and comforted others from her wheelchair).
Prior to her death, she was delighted to witness her daughter's (Felicia Jones-Shaw) accomplishment of receiving her Master's Degree from Franklin University as well as the promotion of her eldest daughter to the rank of Sergeant. Until her death in April 2006, Betty Jean Simmons remained a faithful Christian, mother, and friend.
It is the goal of the founders, her daughters, to increase the awards each year to help bring awareness of Domestic Violence and to end the cycle of Domestic Abuse and its devastating effects.
Betty has four surviving children (which she often referred to as her two generations). Two children were born in the 1960's and two children were born in the mid-1970's. As a mother, Betty insisted that her children perform well in school. She utilized her own educational resources at home to review homework the children were assigned in public school. This assisted her children in overcoming deficits that often existed in inner city schools. Along with her commitment to education, Betty was an artistic soul. She was a professional cake decorator who provided mouth-watering and creatively decorated wedding and special occasion cakes to clients throughout Central Ohio. Additionally, she was an accomplished seamstress and hat designer/maker.
Betty Jean Simmons was a victim of Domestic Violence until the final incident in the home resulted in her seeking shelter at the Salvation Army. When openings became available, she moved her three children (a 4-year-old, a 5-year-old, and a 17-year-old) to the Choices Domestic Violence Shelter in Columbus, Ohio. She remained with her children for six months in the shelter. While in the shelter, she was provided legal assistance to file for divorce. Subsequently. she was connected with social programs through the shelter for women to re-enter the workforce.
Betty found gainful employment through the Displaced Homemakers Program in Franklin County. She was hired at Neighborhood House, Inc., where she later advanced from Assistant Bookkeeper to Human Resources Director. She was assisted in the promotion when she became the proud recipient of the Walter and Marian English Award. She furthered her education at Columbus State. Her eldest daughter also received the educational award. Betty Jean Simmons continued to highly regard education and stressed the importance of achieving the highest level of education to her children and children from inner city homes.
As a devoted Christian, Betty served faithfully at the churches she attended throughout her lifetime (at Church of Christ [also known as Brentnell] and Ephesus). Betty used sermons as a way to take dictation to keep her shorthand skills polished while she was unemployed. After she became gainfully employed, she continued to take shorthand during sermons to keep her skills polished. Betty participated in numerous activities at churches. She had a beautiful mezzo soprano voice. She sang in the choir at Brentnell and often traveled to sing solos throughout Ohio (and also sang duets with her daughters). She was a spirited advocate for justice and a prayer warrior. One of her later passions in the ministry was healthcare. Betty was director of the healthcare committee and worked tirelessly in the area of breast cancer awareness.
Betty survived breast cancer. Later she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Her oncologist office prayed with her during each treatment and Betty lived with Stage IV ovarian cancer for five years following those treatments. She later developed a brain tumor which resulted in the necessity of her spending time in rehabilitation. Upon learning mobility with a wheelchair, Betty continued living a high quality of life until her waning abilities resulted in her being home-bound. She always looked for the good in people and sought to help everyone she could, even until the last two weeks of her life (when she delivered gifts and comforted others from her wheelchair).
Prior to her death, she was delighted to witness her daughter's (Felicia Jones-Shaw) accomplishment of receiving her Master's Degree from Franklin University as well as the promotion of her eldest daughter to the rank of Sergeant. Until her death in April 2006, Betty Jean Simmons remained a faithful Christian, mother, and friend.
It is the goal of the founders, her daughters, to increase the awards each year to help bring awareness of Domestic Violence and to end the cycle of Domestic Abuse and its devastating effects.