Celestine Simmons

Pastor Celestine Simmons was born February 28, 1941, in Charleston, South Carolina, the beloved daughter of the late Herbert Simmons and Anna Lee Waring. She went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 20, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Celestine was educated in the public schools of South Carolina. Upon relocating to New York, she continued her education at Bronx Community College. She was a stay home mother, who loved her children dearly educating them in the way of Life and the Lord.

Upon receiving Christ as her personal Savior, Celestine knew that her life had changed. As she allowed the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and direct her life, she found that God had given her the gift of teaching. She loved reading the Word of God and spreading the love of Jesus to others. She evangelized in the streets, teaching others about God and leading them to Christ. Not only did she teach strangers, but she taught her children and her grandchildren about Jesus. She taught them that serving God was the right thing to do, that they should not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ, and that they should only fear God and not man. She also reminded them that there was no greater Love than the Lord Jesus Christ. Celestine encouraged everyone to read the Bible for themselves, and that they should not let anyone tell them anything without proof of it in the Bible. Because she led a life that was rooted and grounded in the word of God, it was her prayer that all lead the same life.

She served as Assistant Pastor of Praise & Worship Pentecostal Church International, Inc. where she served alongside her daughter Lisa. She participated in their outreach programs and ministries in and out of church, and all things JESUS!

Pastor Celestine was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who will be remembered for reading her bible daily and spreading the unadulterated Gospel of Jesus.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her brothers, Herbert Simmons Sr, Michael Simmons; sister, Izella Simmons; and son-in-law, Ian Brown.

She is lovingly survived by her four daughters, Reverend Cedricka Simmons-Brown, Pastor Lisa (Charles) Simmons-Owens, Celestine Jordan and Rosalind Simmons; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her caring brother, Reverend Joe (Berta) Louis Simmons; loving sister, Anna Bell Singleton; and dear friend in the Lord, Pastor Deborah Edwards; along with a host of nephews, nieces and other loving relatives and dear friends, all of whom will dearly miss her, but rejoice that she is now with the Lord.

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