Mary Ella Simmons Eaton age 90 passed away Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, a cherished member of both Picayune and Columbia Miss. She faithfully served God throughout her life. 

 Mary Ella Eaton is a native of McComb, Miss.  She is the youngest of 13 children born to the late Mr. Charlie Carpenter and Mrs. Lula Thompson Carpenter. She is a graduate of Pike County Agricultural High School, Katie’s Beauty College in New Orleans, La.; and attended the Charles Harrison Mason Bible School.  She was an entrepreneur who owned and operated Mary Simmons Beauty Salon for many years, as well as owning a laundromat. 

Mother Eaton was married to the late Professor Neely Simmons Sr. and of this union  five  children were born, David, Daniel, Olivia, Cynthia, and Neely Jr.  After Mr. Simmons’ demise, she later married the late Bishop Jesse “Dad” Eaton.  

As a Missionary, Mother Eaton has served in many capacities,  National District Missionary Unit Leader, President of the Executive Board and Secretary of the Mississippi Southern Second Jurisdiction Department of Women, District Missionary of the Columbia District with Supt. Fred Idom Jr., mighty Prayer Warrior of the National, State, District and Local assembly, and Church Mother.  

In 2009, Mother Mary Eaton was officially designated, by the Jurisdictional Bishop A. V. Jordan, as the second  Supervisor for Mississippi Southern Second        Mother Eaton was officially installed as Supervisor in the 102nd Holy Convocation in Memphis, Tennessee on Nov. 6, 2009, and has embraced that position for for the past 18 years.

To cherish her loving  memories are one son, Pastor David (Frances) Simmons of Picayune, Miss.; one daughter, Olivia (Ondre) Gooch of Lawrenceville, Ga.; 11 grandchildren, Nicole (Donavan) Taylor, Tiffany (Eddie) White, Jessica Harper, Jeremy Harper, Zachary Simmons, Stacey M. Simmons, Kimberly Knight, Marquette Magee, Taylor Kelly, Emily Taylor, Neely Simmons III; five great-grandchildren, Jadynce Alyce Taylor, Jordyn Ari Taylor, Bella Simmons, Sa’Riah Janai Simmons, Xzaviyon Antoine Felts, and a host of other relatives and friend. 

The funeral service will be held Saturday, Nov. 30. 2024 at 11 a.m. at McDowell-Nance-Jordan Convention Center, 120 Old Airport Road, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Entrusted to Brown’s Funeral Home. Register Book, Obituary and Driving Direction can be found on our website at www.brownsfuneral homepicayune.com