RUTH SIMMONS

Ruth Ellen Gaskin Simmons was born on April 3,1925, to the late Hilda and James Gaskin in the Monteocha Community of Gainesville, Florida. On Sunday, July 24, 2022, she peacefully slept away at the age of ninety-seven (97), and now she awaits the resurrection of Jesus’ soon return. 

Ruth was raised in a Christian home and was converted at an early age. She accepted Jesus as her personal Savior and was baptized at Old Jerusalem Baptist Church where she attended for many years.  Her Christian character and deeds followed her, and she continued to serve God as an active member of each church she attended throughout her life. She later joined Mt Mission Missionary Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, FL and First Baptist Church in Queens, NY.

Ruth was educated in the Alachua County School System. After graduation, she moved to West Palm Beach and later to Daytona Beach, Florida where she began her working career. She performed childcare services for a family who considered her a member of their own family. The family, especially the children, kept in touch with her for many years after she left their service.

After marriage, she continued to live in Daytona Beach Florida until she moved, along with her husband, Samuel Simmons, and other family members to East Elmhurst, Queens, NY in 1964. There she began her Nursing career at Saint Vincent Hospital where she worked for 25 years before she retired and moved back to Daytona Beach, FL in 1989. During her tenure at St. Vincent Hospital, she enrolled in and received a certificate from an approved nursing program. Patient care was her heartfelt passion. 

Ruth’s life was dedicated to helping and caring for people. Although she was soft spoken, her message was profound and sincere. She had the uncanny ability of making everyone feel as though they were most special to her. When she would ask how you were doing, she was really interested in the answer, and she took the time to listen to your response. This was so important to her because she had a memory like an elephant and would never forget you or your response. She has been heard to say that she has no known enemies and there is no one that she doesn’t like.

Ruth was loved and respected by everyone who knew her. Unity in the family was her highest priority. She would do anything to restore and maintain relationships. In the marriages, she cared as much for the in-laws as she did for the family members. Until Covid, our family members sponsored 45 annual Family Reunions, and Ruth was present each year, no matter what part of the country they were held. 

One of Ruth’s outstanding characteristics was her cooking skills. Mac and Cheese, Collard Greens, and Pound Cakes are a few of her specialties. She was an avid reader and she kept up with all the current events. She was usually the resource for information regarding things happening with family and friends in other cities and states. 

After Ruth’s health began to decline, she moved to Altamonte Springs and then to Casselberry where she was cared for by her daughters until she passed. Special care was given by her grandson, Raheem Danielson and her son-in-law, Leo Danielson. During an Evangelistic Series at the Altamonte Springs Church, she accepted the message and was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She was happy to be reminded that death is a mere sleep and she looked forward to the resurrection at the second coming of Jesus.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Simmons, and her son, Albert Gaskin, and his wife Elaine; a brother Henry Gaskin; 4 family members who were raised with her, as siblings; Lillian Kinsler, Nettie Mae Canty, Willie James Williams and Thernell Durant Mulbury. Left to cherish her memory are two loving daughters; Josephine Crist Oates of Altamonte Springs, FL, and Annie M. Danielson (Leo) of Casselberry, FL; a brother, Gilbert Williams (Odessa) of Marietta, GA; a special daughter: Margaret Del-getty Smith; Ex son-in-law, Charles Oats, a godson, Bernard Washington, Jr., grand-nephew and Vonshea Gaskin,

11 Grandchildren, Kelvin Boles (Faith), Wanda Oates Shepherd, Darryl Davis, Lequitta Gaskin, Leo Jamel Danielson (Christine), Darlene McCoy (Reanzer), Kisha Rahming (Kiah), Albert Gaskin, Jr. (Nikia); Janice Gaskin, Kwame Danielson (Cherie), and Raheem Danielson. 

16 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Special mention to all the friends of Mt. Mission Missionary Baptist Church; Altamonte Springs Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Maranatha Seventh-day Adventist Church.

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