CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR W&wY~-~~ SUNRISE: JULY 6, 1932 SUNSET: JANUARY 4, 2014 g~ f~ f;( 2t:Y~ f 2.c c 9 ! 1 Ben Hill United lVfethodist Church 2099 Fairburn Road Atlanta, Georgia Reverend Byron E. Thomas, Senior Pastor Pastor Fleetwood Price, Eulogist Margaret Elaine Simmons-Boone peacefully departed this life and rose to her new life on January 4, 2014. She was the eighth of eleven children born between the holy union of Alma and Jordan Simmons. Born on July 6, 1932, she grew up in Summet-ville, S.C. She attended Alston Elementary and High School where she played the saxophone in the marching band. Margaret was passionate about both music and art. She cultivated her calling in education early as a young child serving as a mentor and tutoring younger children in her schooL Margaret worked for the Atlanta Board of E ducation for many years. God blessed her with tl1e gift to teach children. Although recognizing this gift, Iviargaret's passion was set-ving God and her family. She joined Saint Paul of the Cross Catholic Church and set-ved as a faithful member for 1nany years. Margaret attended Allen University as an Education Major and Music l'v1inor in Liberal Arts where she pledged Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She was selected as "Miss Allen University" during her senior year while studying in college. After graduation, Iviargaret 1nanied her high school sweetheart, Charles H. Boone on June 26, 1955. After the birth of her first child, Cheryl, Margaret worked as a teacher at Line tary School, where she taught 3rd grade Art while Charles got his degree at Benedict College. In 1962, she 1noved to Columbia, SC. to be with Charles after he started working with The Coca- Cola Co1npany. She was called by God once again to experience yet another journey, being a stay- at- home mother. She would soon be blessed to give birth to her second and third daughters, Charlene and CrystaL Shortly after the birth of Crystal, the family moved to Atlanta, GA, where Charles was promoted to Senior Account Executive for The Coca-Cola Co1npany. When all of her children were able to attend school, she returned to teaching with the Atlanta Public School system. She raised a beautiful family with her husband until his passing on T\1arch 31, 1979. T\1argaret continued to 1naintain her household after his death by creating a lot of wonderful me1nories. Iviargaret was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother sister and friend. She took pride in her family and her home and enjoyed entertaining. She was a woman who was full of great spirit that showed in her artwork and in her friendship. She was an outstanding sea1nstress who enjoyed making curtains and clothes for her children. Her hobbies were gardening, sewing, playing cards, art, watching sports, and talking, the latter being her favorite. In addition to all of her life accomplishments, as an artist, she is 1nost noted for painting a mural in the "Old House" at Allen University before it burned down. She is survived by her three children, Cheryl Stanley Charlene Owens, and Crystal Reed; son-in-law. Tracy; grandchildren, Yas1nin Stanley and Branden Owen; two si ters, Virginia I