She attended Drew High School and was valedictorian of her graduating class of 1967. She was an amazing basketball player and always placed academia over entertainment.
Ola met her soulmate and best friend Lorenza Simmons Sr. in 1965 and they were joined in marriage on September 1, 1973. She enjoyed spending time with her family, friends, and church family. She developed a love for sewing and cooking and found joy in doing it for others.
While living in Detroit, Michigan, Ola was employed by Bendix Corporation. Upon returning to Arkansas, she was employed as a supervisor at Burlington Industries until its closing. She founded her own consulting business known as Kols. She was a co-founder of the first Charter school in Southeast Arkansas formerly known as ARISE Charter School. She also co-founded Trinity Full Gospel Church where she was affectionately known as ''Lady O'' . There were many lives touched by Lady Overseer through her preaching, teaching, exemplary leadership, and loving heart.
Ola professed her faith in God at an early age and was a member of New Bethel Missionary Church. She was always seen praising God and giving words of wisdom to all who encountered her.
She was preceded in death by her parents K.D. and Gertrude Trotter, two brothers: John Wesley Sr. and Albert Lee Sr., and five sisters, Emma Janice, Azzie Lee, Wanda Jean, Bettye Jean, and Mary Diane.
She leaves to cherish her memory; her devoted husband of 50 years Lorenza Sr.; her children: Kimberly (Kenneth) and ShaRonda of Monticello, AR, and Lorenza Jr. (Geisha) of Little Rock, AR; her grandchildren: Korsica (Denzell), Chynna, Jadeci, Italy, Lorenza III, A'Dejah, Darbee, Kenneth Jr., Jamiya (Samonta) and Paradise (Justin); seven great-grandchildren; her brothers: Karon (Yvette) and Kerwin (Cynthia) of Monticello, AR, DeJuan (Lisa) of White Hall, AR, and Gerald (Hilda) of Bryant, AR.; her sisters: Vertie of Garland, TX and Florine of Monticello, AR; her siblings in love: Maryland (Hosea), Mark (Jackie), Steven (Gail), Pamela (Eric), Shasta (Kevin), Sammy Sr., John, and Bobbie Jean; bonus grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral Services will be on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at Trinity Full Gospel Church, 468 South Edwards in Monticello, AR. Visitation will be Friday, November 24, 2023, from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery.
You can sign Ola's guestbook here on her page.
Condolences(25)
Jae
Little Rock, AR Saturday, July 27, 2024 Thinking of you on this side ‼️❤️ I love you foreverJae
Monticello, CA Friday, May 24, 2024 Not a day goes by that you dont cross my mind‼️❤️ You are forever missed on this side ‼️ Till we meet again, what a day it will be! I love you granny girl.Isierene Brown
Dumas, AR Sunday, January 14, 2024 was blessed to meet her through her visits to the Daughters of Charity Health Clinics in Dumas and Gould. she was so kind and soft spoken. always had a spiritual word to share. I know she has to be where jESUS is. RIP LoveSusie Thomas
Flint, MI Thursday, November 30, 2023 Moma Simmons was the BEST!!!! Some people you think will live forever and she was DEFINATELY one of those people. Since meeting her back in 2003 she has always been nothing but PURE!!!! She have always treated my children and myself as if we were blood family. She will be greatly missed. Apostle "Dad" Simmons, Ronda, Kim you are all in my prayers daily and to the entire Trinity Family I love and miss you all!!!Sarah Blackmon
Monticello, AR Tuesday, November 28, 2023 I am deeply saddened as I read about the passing of my wonderful neighbor. I have been out of town and am just learning about it. My deepest condolences to all of her family and friends. Rest in peace.Sharon Shook McIntyre
Monticello, AR Sunday, November 26, 2023 Family of Ola,My thoughts and prayers are with you all. When I worked with Ola at Burlington I was in payroll, she and I had a great working relationship as well as friendship. She was an angel on earth and is now an angel in Heaven with her Heavenly Father. May God bless each of you.
In Christian Love,
Sharon Shook McIntyre
Angela C Johnson
Saint Louis, MO Saturday, November 25, 2023 Earth has no sorrow that heaven can't heal. Isaiah 35:10. Pastor Lorenzo I'm so sorry for your lost. I'm so glad I got a chance to meet First Lady Ola when you came to St. Louis. for the family reunion and you preached at my church. I know and share your sorrow in March 2021 my husband passed and the year before that the Lord called my darling mother home, Almarie Vincent. I miss them like it was yesterday. And God shall wipe all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying. neither shall there be any more pain for the formal things have passed away. Rev 21:4. We are family Aunt Sandra, you and all of our relatives. I'll continue to pray for you and God will strengthen you. Love Angela Johnson (from St. Louis, Missouri)Angela C Johnson (daughter of Almarie Vincent)
Saint Louis, MO Saturday, November 25, 2023 Earth has no sorrow that heaven can't heal. Isaiah 35:10. Pastor Lorenzo I'm so sorry for your lost. I'm so glad I got a chance to meet First Lady Ola when you came to St. Louis. for the family reunion and you preached at my church. I know and share your sorrow in March 2021 my husband passed and the year before that the Lord called my darling mother home, Almarie Vincent. I miss them like it was yesterday. And God shall wipe all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying. neither shall there be any more pain for the formal things have passed away. Rev 21:4. We are family Aunt Sandra, you and all of our relatives. I'll continue to pray for you and God will strengthen you. Love Angela Johnson (from St. Louis, Missouri).TOMMY SHAW
GALT, CA Saturday, November 25, 2023 SENDING PRAYERStommy r shaw
Galt, CA Saturday, November 25, 2023 sending my prayersLaura A.(Collins) Davis
Milwaukee, WI Saturday, November 25, 2023 SENDING OUR LOVE AND DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY...Lou Lambert
Monticello, AR Saturday, November 25, 2023 To the Simmons family. We are praying that the Lord will grant you the strength you need to get through these trying times. May the memory of your beautiful mom forever be a part of your life. I will miss my friend. May God bless you is our prayer.Tajuana Roberts
Pine Bluff, AR Friday, November 24, 2023 To the Simmons FamilyPraying GOD give you the strength, peace and understanding during this trying time. Praying for you Sharonda Forte, Mrs. Kim, Darbee, Korsica, Jadeci and Mr. Simmons.
Joe Chambers
Monticello, AR Friday, November 24, 2023 Sorry for your loss. Ola was a wonderful lady!Melanie Rawls
Monticello, AR Friday, November 24, 2023 Sending prayers to the Lorenzo and children and the Trotter and Simmons families. God will is your presence help in a time like this.Rev. Cleo & Mrs. Florence Thomas
Monticello, AR Friday, November 24, 2023 Sending our heartfelt condolences to the family. Look to the hill which cometh your help your help comes from the lord. Love Rev. Cleo & Florence ThomasGregory Jefferson
St.Louis, MO Thursday, November 23, 2023 My condolences to her husband and family. Lady O was a great Woman Of God. May God give comfort and peace to the family during this bereavement time. God Bless 🙌 🙏 ❤️Jae
Little Rock, AR Thursday, November 23, 2023 Granny you hurt me with this one! I love youHenry Ett & Tyrone Mcfadden
Monticello, AR Thursday, November 23, 2023 Our Overseer, Our Friend. Sending Sincere Condolences 💐 To This Entire Family. We Love U All. Dear God Keep This Family And Give Them Strength & Comfort To Carry On Is My Prayer.Faye Harris
Davis, CA Wednesday, November 22, 2023 Lorenza and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Ola was such a beautiful person. Praying for you and your family.Kimberly Williams
Monticello, AR Wednesday, November 22, 2023 I send my prayers and sincere condolences to the family during this timeDeena Smith-Jones
Frisco, TX Wednesday, November 22, 2023 Sending my deepest condolences to both Trotter and Simmons families. Prayers and thoughts are lifted up immensely during this time.DR. Sam Wherry Ph.D.
LITTLE ROCK, AR Tuesday, November 21, 2023 Ola Trotter Simmons Passed from Mortality to ImmortalityMonticello and Southeast Arkansas has lost one of the most faithful, fruitful, influential Faith and Public Service Women of Monumental Honor, Integrity, and Par Excellent Accomplished Achievements 4th Quarter of the 20th Century and the 1st Quarter of the 21st Century.
Ola Trotter Simmons in Commemorative Partnership her Reneown beloved by all Par Excellent Husband Dr. Lorenza Simmons Th.D.
Monumentally researched, feasibly developed, and established Trinity Full Gospel Ministries that evolved their renown Arise CDC Faith Base 501c3 Corporation establishing an Arkansas Certified Charter School of Honor and distinction that gave a pathway to those K-12 Students normally dismissed or expelling, Ola and Lorenza Simmons initiative via Drew and Ashley Counties in particularly Monticello and Drew Central School Districts role model a foundation that emerged a regional campus.
Ola Simmons an Ordained Clergy Worked faithfully with her spouse, Apostolic Bishop /Overseer Trinity Full Gospel Church which emerged from them to date as the largest African American Congregation and most Fruitful Multiplicity Mission and Purpose Ministries Southeast Arkansas.
Heaven cannot but be smiling upon the triumphant ushered-in entry into the Kingdom of God with El Shaddai, The Almighty God, and King Jesus Christ in the reception of Ola Mae Trotter Simmons, Let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad for God through King 👑 Jesus Christ Monumental Fruitful, Prosperous Mission and Purpose Influential, Innovative, Soul Saving Par Excellence Multiplicity Accomplishments of the Chosen of God Ola and Lorenza Simmons Mortality Works and Accomplishments.
Join us in Seeking God's Favor and Cover to and upon Apostolic Bishop Lorenza Simmons and his beloved Par Excellence Daughters of Honor and Integrity; the Family and the faithful, fruitful constituency of Trinity Full Gospel Church during this period of Berevament Ola Mae Trotter Simmons:
Psalm 1 Commendation to Ola & Lorenza Simmons
1 [Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man/woman who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example], Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers).
2 But his/her delight is in the law of the Lord,
And on His law [His precepts and teachings] they [habitually] meditate day and night.
3 And they will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; And in whatever they do, they prosper [and comes to maturity].
Respectively Submitted
Dr. Sam Wherry Ph.D.
Annice & Gus B. Woodward, Jr
Tampa, FL Tuesday, November 21, 2023 Our Lord prepares a place for us all where pains and sorrow's cease. Where goodness and joy surround us, and our hearts feel perfect peace. We will see you on the other side. Sincerely, Annice & GusKaren D. bealer
Maumelle, AR Tuesday, November 21, 2023 My Prayers and Condolences to the Family. Love you all.