FACE COVERINGS ARE STILL REQUIRED TO ENTER THE FUNERAL HOME!!!!

Funeral service will be held 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Shoulders Branch Missionary Baptist Church.  Burial will follow in the Shoulders Branch Cemetery.  Visitation is from 5:30-8:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral Home.

Betty Lou Howard Simmons was born on February 25,1948 to the late Mitchell Howard Sr. and Thelma Bell Howard. Betty Lou departed this life on Tuesday, May 28th at 11:52 P.M. Betty graduated from Williston High School, "The Greatest School Under The Sun", in 1967".  She was married to Louis Simmons and the union would produce her greatest accomplishments; son, LaCardie and daughter, Loutea. Betty worked for North Carlina Mutual Insurance Company as a secretary for 19 years until her retirement. Betty enjoyed listening to music, dancing and reading. Betty also loved traveling especially to Maryland to visit her son and daughter-in-law. She also enjoyed going to New York to visit family and friends. Betty was a fashionista who loved to "step out" looking her absolute best.  Betty's potato salad was a family favorite, and she could make a box cake that would melt in your mouth. She was the only sister to seven brothers, and they spoiled her tremendously. Betty enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, and she loved them deeply.  Betty was preceded in death by infant grandson, Braxton Simmons; brothers, Rudolph "Buster" Davis, Mitchell Howard Jr., Reginald Howard Pace; and Lanie Simpson whom she considered her stepsister.  Betty leaves to cherish her memory son, LaCardie M. Simmons (Lisa) of Davidsonville, MD; daughter, Loutea Bonds (Craig) of Castle Hayne, NC; four grandchildren; Rashaad Hayes, Kayla Ceasar, and Saniya Bonds of Wilmington, NC, and Sgt. Louis Malik Simmons (Shakira) of Killeen, TX; two great-grandchildren, Xavier Ross of Wilmington, NC, and Kaylani Simmons of Kileen, TX; four brothers, Lonnie Howard (Dentral) of Wilmington, NC, Anthony Howard (Denise) of Nashville TN, Apostle John Gary Howard (Maggie) and Charles Howard (Renee) of Wilmington, NC, along with a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.