Beatrice Hayes Simmons was born April 18. 1932 in Calhoun, Al, in Lowndes County, to Callum and Hildra Hayes, and was the second oldest of ten siblings. She was baptized at an early age at Big Union Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).She graduated from The Calhoun High School, in Calhoun, AL. and after graduating worked as a shirt factory worker and a licensed beautician in neighboring Montgomery. AL. While working in these positions, Beatrice was among those transported via carpools during the Montgomery Bus Boycott to bring about change in the face of overt racism and violence against African Americans.Despite her challenging social settings, she was determined to succeed. She decided to make a fundamental change in her environment and relocated from the rural Southern United States to Yonkers, NY, as many other young African Americans did during the Great Migration in pursuil ol bener opportunities in northern metros.Although she was a single mom at the time to one son, Arnold Hayes, she was determined to make a better life for her child and entire family, while paving the way for several of her siblings that would also migrate north in the years that followed. While living in Yonkers, she was blessed to meet and marry her loving and devoted husband, Fletcher Simmons, on July 8. 1961. She later gave birth to another son.Gregory Van Simmons.Beatrice achieved many professional accomplishments that also afforded her resources to provide for family back down south. She obtained an associate’s degree from Elizabeth Seton College in Yonkers, NY. and served as an administrative assistant for the Ciba-Geigy Corporation in White Plains, NY, where she served for several decades before retirement. She also enjoyed enriching post-retirement opportunities, working as a paralegal for New York City law firms. Beatrice was a proud member of the Order of the Eastern Star, State of New York chapter (Terry City #26, Yankers,N). and served as Distriet Deputy Grand Mairon.Fletcher and Beatrice were members of the Institutional African American Episcopal Zion Church, where she was an usher, sang in the choir. and was a leader of leaders.” They were active members until they moved back south to Cuthbert.GA. The Hayes and Simmons families, and society are better because of Beatrice Hayes Simmons.
Beatrice Simmons
