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A CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE AND LEGACY
OF
Saturday, the third of 11ay Two thousand fourteen
Eleven o'clock in the morning First Congregational Church
United Church of Christ 105 Courtland Street, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30303

N1arguerite F. Simon was born October 30, 1912 to the union of Edward L. Simon and Laura I)ickerson Sin1on. The youngest and only girl of four siblings, she spent her early years in a close-knit conununity in Nfetnphis, Tennessee. She attended grade chool at LeMoyne Normal School (now Lemoyne -0\.vens College) until her family moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1923. The family moved into the outh tlanta hou e that had belonged to Edward Simon's father, Mis Simon's paternal grandfather. It was the same house she lived in throughout her life, until her later years.
IYiarguerite Simon finished her grade school education in the Atlanta public school system, and then entered Spelman College. At Spelman, she was known for her studiousne s, impeccable manners and leadership skills. A biology major, she was a member of the Biology Club and the Athletic Council, and played saxophone in the catnpus orchestra. She served as class president during her sophomore and senior years, a role she continued through the 70rh class reunion.
Upon graduation from Spelman College in 1935, Marguerite Simon taught in Evergreen, Alabatna, and J\1illedgeville, Georgia, and was assigned as a supply teacher in Atlanta. It was during this time that he was contacted by Nliss Edna Callahan, the physical education teacher at Spelman, who had signed up to be in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, and was seeking her successor. When they met, Nliss Callahan took Marguerite Simon directly ro Spelman President Florence "tvL Read to di cuss Nliss Sin1on taking on Miss Callahan's soon-to-be vacated job. "tvliss Silnon was often asked why she was selected to replace Miss Callahan. Though she never understood why she wa deemed qualified to be a physical education teacher, she remembered writing a letter to Spelman, while working in Alabama, requesting a stop watch to use during a field day. She decided this one act may have determined her destiny as a physicaJ education teacher. As a result, she went on to complete a master' degree in physical education from the University of Colorado.
I\fiss Simon, as he was respectfully referred to, taught at Spelman College frotn 1943 to 1980, a total of thirty-seven years. She taught drills, tumbling and basic exercises, along with sports like volleyball and bowling, a well as tennis and archery among other activities. As a rocal and visionary advocate for health and physical education for the students, Marguerite Simon was instrumental in getting Read Hall built, a health and recreation facility dedicated in 1951. She was highly respected by her colleagues and students, and spoke of her work at Spelman as work she loved, each and every day. Upon her retirement as assistant professor, J\fiss Sitnon spent significant time and energy forwarding Spelman history and traditions as a volunteer, mentor and donor. In 1985, the Spelman Class of 1949 established the J\1arguerite Simon Endowed .Scholarship in honor of 11iss Simon, on the occasion of her SOrh Spelman class reunion. The College's highest alumnae honor, the Founders Spirit Award, was bestowed upon rvfiss Simon in 1988, only the second year after the award \vas established. And, in 2004, the Marguerite F. Simon Gymnasium it1 Read Hall was dedicated in a special ceremony. Miss Simon was an active member and leader in the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College (NAASC), as historian and recipient of the Hall of Fatne A\cvard.
Miss Simon and her family joined First Congregational Church upon moving to Atlanta in the 1920's. ln her adult life, she maintained active membership at the church for more than seventy years. She was a Trustee Board member, and Sunday School teacher and superintendent, sharing her knowledge of the Bible and modeling self-respect for oneself and others for children and adults alike. The First Congregational Diaconate Board honored rvfiss Simon in October 2001.
An exemplary citizen, "tvfiss Sitnon volunteered with Benefactors of Education, Inc., Community Friendship, providing support for the mentally ill, and tutored at Lena Jean Campbell Elementary School. Additionally, she served on the supervisory cotnmittee of the tlanta Teachers Federal Credit Union (now Credit nion of Atlanta) and advocated for park preservation.
Miss Simon's distinguished life and legacy will be remembered by her loving family, nephew, Edward L. Simon, and niece, Margaret Summerour, both of Atlanta, GA; grand nieces, Carol Lane (I(areetn) of Birmingham, AL and Kenya Summerour of Atlanta, GA; great grand nephews, I<endall Chase Surmnerour of Atlanta, c;A and Ian Carter Lane of Birmingham, AL; and a host of dear friends, neighbors and church tnetnber , and Speln1an sisters, colleagues and former students.

Organ Prelude ProteJJionai

Dr. J oyce Finch J oh nson
Spelman College Organist

Wordr of LWeicome
Jm;ocation
Hymn Scripture Readings
The Old Tn tament The N ew TeJ!ament
Pastoral Prqyer
lvlusicaf Selec:tion Obituary (To be read JilentbU Prodamation
A1usitai Selection Refledion.r
l-'amijy Church Community Spelman College Spelman A lumnae
E 11iogy
V ideo PreJentation .Atknowledgements Spelman H_ymn Benedzdion R eceJSionai

"There is a Balm in Gilead"

Reverend D r. D wight D. Andrews
Senior Afinister, FirJt Congregational ChurdJ
Reverend D r. Lisa D. Rhodes
Dean qfThe Sisters Chapel. Spelman College
t-[ymnai (p. 235)
Reverend Dr. Frances Bryant Lowery
Historit" Friendfhip Bapti.rt Church
Reverend Elizabeth Clement
Fir.ft Congregational Chun-/1
Reverend John Pearson
First Congregational Chunh
Spelman College G lee Club

lv1rs. Nancy Fesson Hawkins, Spelman Class of 1963
1 ational A lumnae Association q/Spelman College
First Congregational Church Choir
l\1rs. Carol Lane, Grand N iece IVIrs. Shirley Henderson Coleman, Spelman Class of 1977
Dr. Ruby T olbert Richards, Spelman Class of 1953 Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, President
:tvfrs. Pearline Adamson Davis, Spelman Class of 1958 f-<onner Diredor qfA /umnae Ajfairs
Mrs. Janet Lane Martin, Speln~an Class of 1972
Reverend D r. Norman :tv1. Rates
First Congregational Church/ Dean Emen/u.r, The SiJters Chapel
Reverend Angela D enise D avis
D r. E dith E . Biggers

Reverend Dr. No11.nan f. Rates

Interment
I So uth-View Cemeterv
1990 J onesboro Road Atlanta, G eorgia 303 15 RepaJt 1vill be be/d a! 1--ir.rt Congre"~alional Churcb in the Commons (125 Ellis Stree!), immediatefyfollmving the Interment.

21k~~
Words and music by E ddye Money Shivery, Class of 1934
Spelman, tf?y name we praise Standards and honor raise.
We 'II everfaitliful be Throughout eterni!J. lVlqy peace with thee abide /lnd Godforever guide Tf?y heights supreme and true.
Blessing.r toy ou. Through)'ears qftoil andpain
A1qy ti?J' dear walls remain
Beacons qfheaven!J light, Undaunted by tbe fight, And JPhen life '.r race is JJ;on, T~y noble work is done, Oh God, forever bind
Our hearts to thine.
First Congregational Church Family and Friends
National Alumnae Association of Spelman College, Atlanta & Decatur Chapters
~~@If~ and@?~
First Congregational Church Ministries Spelman College Facuity and Staff
A.G. Rhodes Health & Rehab Atlanta Reverend Angela Denise Davis First Congregational Church
National Alumnae Association of Spelman College Spehnan College
Services Entrusted To:
I I Carl M. Williams Funeral Directors, Inc.
492 Larkin Street, SW Atlanta, GA 30313 404.522.8454 Darryl Allen's PLUS 404.755.0965