Emma D. Nivins Ammons Simmons was born Sunday, April 3, 1921 in Round Oak, Georgia; the fifth of nine children born to the late Mr. John F. Nivins and Mrs. Addie J. Hardwick Nivins. She received her early education in the Georgia Public Schools System and was graduated from Columbus Evening High School in Columbus, Ohio. She attended business classes at Bliss College in Columbus, Ohio. From an early age, she was a member of White Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Round Oak, Georgia. Upon moving to Columbus, she joined the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1946. She was a president of the Senior Usher Board for a number of years. She bowled with the Bethel Bowling League for thirty-plus years. She was an avid bowler and her biggest accomplishment was picking up the big four split for which she received a shirt, a plaque, and other gifts. At that time, she was the only member to do this. She held the position of president of the Anna Battle Missionary Society for many years. Emma D. was a Life Member of the Women's Missionary Society. Her mission was visiting the sick and shut-ins, and she sent out cards for many years. She was Chairperson of the Ways and Means Committee. Emma D. was one of the original members of the Socialite Club of Bethel A.M.E. Church. She was also a member of the Susie Hywarden Scholarship Club. She enjoyed working in the kitchen with Sister Drusilla Holt.

Preceded in death by husband, Richard E. Ammons, and second husband, Anthony Simmons; children, Richard E. Ammons, Jr. and Mary D. Ammons; stepsons George A. Simmons and Alan Michael Simmons; brothers, Willie J. Nivins, Joe Frank Nivins, Otis Benjamin Nivins, Thomas J. Nivins, John G. Nivins, and Reuben Lewis Nivins; sisters, Mary G. Nivins Davis and Addie Mae Nivins Smith; and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Survived by daughter, Katherine S. Fitzgerald; stepdaughters, Sunday Simmons of Bronx, NY, Paulette Simmons of Chicago, IL; daughter-in-law, Floyda M. Ammons; grandchildren, Michael A. Fitzgerald, Richard E. Taylor of Los Angeles, CA, Tina R. Fitzgerald, Jamel C. Ammons, Terri L. Mitchell, Derrick E. Ammons of Columbus, OH; great-grandchildren, Aja D. Mitchell, Karlos C. Mattox, Sr.(Antoinette), Khara T. Fitzgerald, Israel M. Mitchell (Elem), Kelsey L. Fitzgerald, Jordan M. Mitchell, Kyndal Fitzgerald; eleven great- great-grandchildren; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews; and children of the heart, Richard and Cara Caldwell, Roy and Ramora Milner, Theodore and Annie Whitaker, and Reginald and Khadija Lavalais.

In lieu of flowers, please make any gifts or tributes to Bethel A.M.E. Church.