Dr. Irene Simons Houston

Dr. Irene Simons Houston, 75, was born March 21, 1947, in Eastover, South Carolina.  She was the beloved daughter of the late Ben and Ida Mae Craft Simons.  She departed this earthly life on Saturday, May 28, 2022, in Roswell, GA.

“Rene” as she was affectionately called by family and friends, was educated in the public schools of Lower Richland County where she graduated from Webber High School in 1964.  Over the next twenty-five years, she had two beautiful children and worked in various jobs gaining life experience.  Once her children graduated high school, she decided to return to college with the hopes of helping people who needed addiction recovery assistance through her lifelong dreams of becoming a counselor/life coach. 

Therefore, she pursued and obtained a B. A. Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, a Master of Religious Studies, and completed her Ed.S. in Community Agency Counseling and finally a Ph.D. in Counseling Education at the University of South Carolina in 1999.   Dr. Houston was a Professor at Auburn University, where she taught for many years before forming a Counseling and Advocacy business with her family in Atlanta, GA.   

Dr. Houston touched a multitude of lives in a positive way over her 75 years – including family, friends, students, neighbors, strangers, and anyone that was in need.

Dr. Houston was also preceded in death by a brother, Benjamin Simons. 

Those who will forever cherish fond and precious memories of Dr. Houston are her daughter, Tonya McMillian; son, Dwayne (Andrea) Taylor; grandchildren, Micah, Skye, Christian and Andrea; godson, R.J. Lewis; sister, Verdelle Morris (James Norman); brother, Terry Simons; a host of nephews, cousins, great-nephews and great-niece; other loving relatives, colleges and dear friends, all of whom will miss her dearly.  

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