Mae Ford-Simmons

Mae Ford-Simmons, having lived a long life, concluded her earthly journey in the comfort of her Brooklyn, New York home, on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. She was born on February 28, 1926, in Unadilla, Georgia to Henry Wade and Frances Green. Mae was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Cannon Green, Sr., his wife Beatrice, her sister Anna Mae Shade and her husband Bernard; her sister, Juliane; her niece Cobertha; her nephew Harold Sr., and two nieces Carolyn and Gwendolyn. Mae bore the weight of burying her six children, Barbara and her husband Wesley; Nathaniel, Leonard, Bennie, Willie “Punkin”, and Richard. She is survived by three nieces and two nephews from Brooklyn Annie, Linda, Miriam, Cannon Jr. and Daryl, her grandchildren, Kimiko Gilmore (David) of Kansas City, Marlon McPhail of Brooklyn, Kenneth Black (Heather) of St. Charles, Missouri, Leonard Ford of Brooklyn, Leah Williams of Atlanta, Adrain Ford (Cathy) of Essex, Maryland, Kimblie West, Barris West, and Avery West all of New York and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
 

Mae was also preceded in death by the love of her life, Robert Chandler Simmons. They met at work in the 60’s when he took notice of her “beautiful legs”. After getting to know one another they started building a life together. Early in their relationship she said she would never get married again, after becoming a widow when her first husband, Bennie Lee Ford passed away. She stayed true to her word until the couple shocked everyone when they were married in a civil ceremony witnessed by her oldest son, Nathaniel on July 10, 2006. Always up for a little fun, the couple announced their nuptials by sending their loved one's copies of their marriage certificate in the mail! Robert and Mae were married for 12 years and were together for over 50 years, until his passing on April 18, 2019.

Mae worked at the iconic Elizabeth Arden in Manhattan for over 30 years in the shipping department. There she would meticulously prepare high end fashions for delivery to well-heeled clientele. She was true to the brand and would gift her family any number of Arden products on special occasions or just because. The scent of Red Door would lightly greet you on every floor of her Brooklyn brownstone and she would share her appreciation for high quality fabrics and the importance of caring for them whenever she was presented with the opportunity.

A few years after moving to New York with her children and her mother, Mae settled in the home where she would live for 70 years. Everyone on her block knew Mrs. Ford. For a time, she and Robert were active in their block association, tended a community garden, had a blast at the “block parties” and watched out for her neighbors who in turned watched out for her.

Among the many descriptions that people associated with Mae, the one that stands out is “strong”. She endured many challenges in her life however, she always carried on. She spoke her mind, she faced situations mostly without hesitation, she had victories, she made some mistakes still, she never complained. An example of her perseverance can be seen in a short note that she wrote to one of her grandchildren,

“I did not have a father [most] of my lifetime…My mother did the best she could with the large family she had. Finances were few, but we made it. When I was growing up, I wished for things like other girls, but I did not need them…By the help of God, we made it. It was not easy. I love my life."

The family wishes to thank their many friends for all your kind expressions of sympathy during this time of bereavement. Flowers and other expressions of love are appreciated. Those who are so inclined can also donate to:                                                                                              

The Carter Center

453 John Lewis Freedom Parkway

Atlanta, Georgia 30307-3560

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