Aver Simmons

Aver Lee Sutton Simmons' sunrise began on April 10, 1921, in Falling Creek, North Carolina, where she was born to Henry Sutton and Cora Ann Woods Sutton, share crop-pers. Her grandmother placed a silver dollar in her hand when she was born. She kept that silver dollar throughout her life. She was the last survivor of 11 children. One daughter, Daphnne Avon Simmons White, preceded her in death. They named her "Aver," which means to speak or to avow. She was appropriately named because she spoke and wrote candidly and eloquently throughout her life. She always remarked about how she was blessed to see this day and age. She said that everyone should be thankful for what we have today. She said that as a child, she never knew that she would live to see so many wonders and have so many opportunities. She spoke of the glass doll, a bag of nuts, or possibly a bag of candy that they received at Christmas. She spoke of how she would ride with Auntie (Alberta Kennedy) from Falling Creek to La Grange in a horse drawn carriage. She said that the mothers would walk with their children in tow to church at night through all types of weather. She said that they had to walk to school in all kinds of weather, while the whites road school buses. As the buses passed, the riders would call them names. She said that they would throw rocks at the buses. She said she was scared to death when a blimp flew over her head as children played. They didn't know what it was. She spoke about how they had to work the farm. She discussed about how hard that work was. Her brother Ernest, said that she was so strong, that she would carry two rows of cotton to their one. She was educated in the Lenoir County School System. She attended Banks Elementary School, and finished at Frink High School. She said that back then, that grade 11 was the last grade to finish high School. She had a thirst for knowledge and a goal to complete the 12 grade, so she contin-ued her education years later. On June 8, 1997, at the age of 66, she receive her N.C. State Board of Community Colleges High School Equivalency Diploma. She joined Herring Grove Free Will Baptist church when she was 12. She had the longest church membership to date. During her membership at Herring Grove, she was Recording Secretary for 26 years. She was the head of the kitchen for 10 years. She served on the usher board for six years. She served on the Pastor's Aide Club for 12 years. In October 2004, she received a "Certificate of Honor" for loyal and life long support of Herring Grove. In 2005 she received a Senior Citizen award for 50 years of Out-standing Service. Aver married David Louis Simmons on Dec. 15, 1945. Aver started working as a Nannie and a maid for several prominent families. She valued her long-term employment with the Palmers as a maid. She retired with 57 years of service from the Kinston Country Club as a cook. She also occasionally catered. She volunteered for several community organizations. Ap-proximately 25 years ago, Aver, Ms. Willie Mae Shepherd, and Eva Edwards started the senior citizen Friendship Club, currently known today as the Georgia K. Battle Friendship Club. Aver served in several committees during her membership. In 2002, Aver was the Queen for the club. Aver received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners, recognizing her service on the Lenoir County Nursing Home Domiciliary Advisor Committee on April 11, 2000. She served 12 years on this committee. She also served on the Kinston Human Relations Committee. She volunteered as a poll sitter at the Carver Courts Apartment Office voting site for 12 years. She was a staunch Democrat. She served as a Big Sister for the Kin-ston/Lenoir County One-on-One Inc. On July 11, 2000, she received a certificate for volunteer-ing. Aver, her sisters, Cora and Kathleen, her brothers, Walter, Ernest, and Harvey, started the Sutton Family reunion in August 1996. She attended the PTA meetings regularly, and was cho-sen as homeroom mother during different years while her children were attending school. Her kind heart sparkled while she sought the joy of helping others by visiting and ministering to the sick and cooking for community. Her coconut cake especially was extraordinary. She could cook anything. She leaves to mourn three daughters, Mona Moore (Marvin) of the home, Eva Grace Lowery (Reginald) of Garner, N.C., and Gloria Hart (Livingston) of Kinston, N.C.; nine grand-children; 10 great-grandchildren; and six great great-grandchildren; sister-in-laws, Mary E. Simmons, Doris Sutton, and Leona Sutton, all of Kinston, N.C., Melba Sutton of Tayetteville, N.C., and Ester Maye of Dudley, N.C.; one brother-in-law, Wilbert Grady of Kinston, N.C.; and a host of relatives and friends. Her funeral will be held Wednesday, June 3, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Her-ring Grove Free Will Baptist Church, Hwy 70 East, Kinston, N.C. Swinson Funeral Service will be in charge.

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