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Mrs. Rosa Brown Simmons
06/25/1928 - 04/09/2026
To know her was to love her
Rosa Lee Brown Simmons passed from this natural life on April 9, 2026. Born June 25, 1928, to Estella and James “Jimmy” Brown, she lived a long and love-filled life. She was the devoted wife of Willie Chester Simmons (deceased), for 70 years and together they built a beautiful family that became her greatest joy. Rosa Lee was the proud mother of six children, grandmother of 11, great-grandmother of 16, and great-great-grandmother of 14.
Her children and their families
Sylvia Bellanca (Joseph)
Vincent Jones – children: Vincent, Jr., Vivia, Jaylen – 5 great-great-grandchildren
Cedric Jones – children: Asha, Gianna, Sky, Jean – 2 great-great-grandchildren
Hilda Farrar (Charles – deceased)
James T. Rainey, Jr. (deceased) – children: Rebeka, Rhianna
Glenn Rainey – child: Devonte – 1 great-great-grandchild
Herbert Simmons (Linda)
Herbert Simmons, Jr. – children: Ashley, Zoe – 2 great-great grandchildren
Marc Simmons – children: Christopher, Alexis – 2 great-great-grandchildren
Rolanda Simmons
Willie Leon Simmons (Patricia)
Landra Simmons – children: Chosani, Joy – 2 great-great-grandchildren
Melvin Simmons (Wanda)
Tia Simmons
Tina Simmons
Stacey Tisdale
Micheal Simmons (deceased)
Rosa Lee is also survived by two brothers-in-law, George and Benjamin Simmons, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins – many of whom she loved as her own – and a host of cherished friends. Her life was a testament to strength, compassion, and unwavering devotion to family. To know her truly was to love her. A funeral service will be conducted on Monday April 13th at 11:00 A.M. in Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home and Crematory, with interment to follow in the Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends starting at 10:00 A.M. until service time in the funeral home. Online condolences may be made through our website, www.crowderhitecrews.com. Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Simmons family.
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About Us
At Crowder-Hite-Crews we’ve always been proud to say that we are large enough to serve and small enough to care. When you choose us, we consider this a sacred trust between your family and ours. We offer a full range of funeral service, whether for a traditional funeral or cremation, and we are able to assist families worldwide. In February of 2004 we installed a crematorium to better serve our cremation families. We now do all cremations in our facility, saving transport to another location for this service. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the cremation process.
Family owned and operated since 1972.
Situated on a 3-acre pastoral setting.
1st Place in Reader’s Choice for Funeral Service (17 years running).
Staff members are active in many civic organizations in the area, including Lions, Rotary, Moose Lodge, Masons, Ruritan, and Chamber of Commerce.
Owners are former Presidents of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association and Southside Funeral Directors Association.
We always help you apply for Social Security and Veterans benefits!
We also help with completing life insurance claim forms.
Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home & Crematory
PO Box 422
1504 N. Mecklenburg Ave.
South Hill, VA 23970
Local (434) 447-7171
Fax (434) 447-3212
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So sorry for your loss 💐
In loving memories Just
Just to thank a beloved and glorious mother
has received her much deserved wings.
God be the glory, she will be missed by all
who knew her. I remember the times we all
would be at her home. She would tell us about
the old days. When we were the the junior
choir we would meet at her house as Silver
was our director. She made all the girls robes.
We all will miss her smiling face.
With Sympathy and Love
I extend my condolences to the family of Ms. Rosa Lee.
I will forever remember her kind, sweet and loving spirit.
May she rest in peace.
Grateful for Mom Simmons
Sending condolences to the Simmons’ Family. We are so grateful for spending time with this gentle and loving soul. May God keep you in perfect peace.
Aunt Rosalee. A most loving soul. Such a warm and beautiful human being. I will never forget your gentleness, your kindness, your love of Family, your delicious food and kool-aid. Truly love you, Junnie
Whisonant Family
Lavern Gibson
We affectionately refer to her as mom Rosa Lee. We all have known her and the family since we were what the older generation would call “knee high to a duck”. Her and the family are like family to us.
What a jewel she was to everyone. We will miss her softness, knowledge, memory, and wisdom. We loved her!
Her gorgeous smile and warmth will be missed.
lavernwcameron@gmail.com
Whisonant Family
April 10, 2026 at 8;27 a.m.
The Whisonant Family – We are sadden to hear another one of our pillars have transition but are grateful for the time we were allowed to share space and time with her.
Mom Rosa Lee, as we called her affectionately was loved by all who knew her. Our families have been united in some way since we were what the older generation would call “knee high to a duck”.
Living life in a community where everyone knows one another is such a blessing and mom Rosa Lee was that to all. Her warmth, peacefulness, quietness, and gorgeous smile will be miss.
Thank you for sharing so many memories with us and for being the pillar you were. We miss also your knowledge, wisdom, ability to recall and share stories and overall presence.
We love you and the family. May Yahweh comfort and provide strength to the family as they too transition from having the presence of a sweet person in their lives.
One of the sweetest ladies I have ever known
Always smiling and pleasing to talk to.
My deepest condolences to the family.
Ms.
Such a beautiful and elegant lady who showed love and kindness to everyone she met. It has been my honor to know you these past years in the ministry. I will miss you Mrs. Rosa Lee.
In Loving Memories
Sending our heartfelt condolences to the family. Aunt Rosa Lee was truly a kind, loving, and sweet spirited person. She always greeted you with a warm smile on her face. Heaven has truly gained an angel. Hugs and prayers for comfort to my family during this difficult time.
Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
My First Visit South
My Mother and Father were welcome in the home where it felt like home. I met Michael and loved after the adults left being able to question him. I will always remember how I felt about the South being afraid from watching television up North were I grew up. After meeting my Extended Family my next thought was wanting to move here. In God’s plan I did with my family visited North after quite a few years this is home because of Rosalee and Family.
Our beloved aunt lived 97 remarkable years, filled with love, strength, and purpose. She was more than a matriarch—she was our living bridge to the past, our family’s historian, and a guiding light for generations to come. Blessed with a sharp and extraordinary memory, she carried our stories with clarity, detail and care, preserving our history in a way few ever could. Through her wisdom and unwavering love, she strengthened our roots and connected generations. Her life’s impact is extraordinary—her legacy is unmatched, and her memory will forever live within us.
To her beloved children, and descendants: your mother’s life was a masterpiece of love, strength, and legacy. Through you, her spirit lives on, her values endure, and her story continues to be written. Her love remains your foundation—unshaken, eternal, and forever guiding you. We are better because of her, and her spirit will continue to guide our family forward. Rest peacefully my dear. Your love and legacy will never be forgotten.
I remember when I was a little girl and
My mom would go over to visit her she
was always such a sweet person.
Sending prayers to the family
Miss Rosa was a sweetheart. She came to the dentist office many years and was such a kind and sweet lady. God has surely gained an angel. Prayers and hugs to the family.
Sylnewlife@gmail.com
We have had the pleasure of knowing Mrs. Rosa and loving her gentlentl ways. She will be greatly missed. May the family find comfort and warmth in the memories of her. Peace and strength to all.
ISM Family
Mama Rosa Lee was a mom to many of us who got to know her while on our journey. She was loving person and it was an honor to have gotten to know her.
To know her was to love her. She was a special
person. We shared many talks together. I will
cherish everyone of them. So sorry for your loss.
Jhelen1950@gmail.com
Sending prayers and condolences to the family. She will be missed. I used to work with her at Russell Stovers Candy CO.