Verna Lee Simmons

Verna Lee Simmons was born in Huntington, New York on May 11, 1946 to Ben Simmons and Lillie Bell (James) Simmons.

Due to contracting polio at four months old, Verna lived out her formative and pre-adolescent years at Saint Charles Hospital for Crippled Children in Port Jefferson, Long Island (now known as Saint Charles Hospital). There, she received her education and the necessary healthcare needed during the week, and spent weekends with family at the family home on Association Road and Wards Lane. This time in her life was the foundation which shaped the woman of strength we’ve all come to know, love and admire.

Verna attended and graduated Bellport High School in 1965. Shortly thereafter, in September 1966, she married her high school sweetheart William “Skippy” Wells who died eight months later in Vietnam.

Verna worked various jobs, ranging from working as a receptionist to being a factory line-person. Notably, she held the position of Chairperson for the Economic Opportunity Commission of Suffolk County in Patchogue, NY for many years. And, some time after moving to Connecticut in 1985, she worked as a receptionist for the Law Firm of Carter, Rubenstein & Civitello in New Haven, CT.

There was no job too small or too hard for Verna to handle. She was a determined person with blessed hands. In the past, she found it soothing to work on her own car, and more recently, she added the love of crossword puzzles. This is while continuing her love for reading and her love of singing and music. She deemed herself “The Rockin’ Granny.” Her beautiful penmanship became a pen pal comfort to many, her “green thumb” could grow anything, and her designation as the family cook and repair person fed many and fixed much. Verna was one heck of a cook. It did her heart glad to cook and feed her family and friends; especially, those within her building. She was vocal about injustices and always spoke her peace. By right, in 2019, she was voted President of the Tenant Association Committee for the residents of Constance B. Motley Apartments where she resided well over a decade.

Verna loved the Lord and longed to live by and understand the Word of God. She was a long time member of Jefferson Temple Church of God in Christ in Bellport, NY, but upon leaving New York, she visited her daughter’s then home church in Connecticut, and also attended Bible Study under the tutelage of Elder Steven Marion, Co-Pastor of Joy Temple of New Haven, CT. Regardless of what lemons life threw at Verna she always managed to make lemonade, lemon cake, and lemon icing out of it. She always looked at the good in people, and never let anything stop her from spreading joy and laughter to those around her.

Verna’s smile and laughter were contagious. She was quite the friend, auntie, grandmother, sister, confidant, and momma to so many. Her family and fur son Cookie were her life. She is survived by a daughter, Danielle Smith of Zephyrhills, FL, a son Christopher Dent, Sr. of East Haven, CT, a forever son Jerry Smith, Jr. of New Haven, CT, and a bonus daughter Tracy Claxton of New Haven, CT. Her grandchildren: Britney Mason, Jerry Smith III (Turquoise), Jer’von Smith (Kelsey), Jus’tus Smith, Emonie Dent, Krystle Hicks, Christopher Dent, Jr., Christian Dent, Tyler Dent, and Caden Dent, and eight great grandchildren.

She also leaves to cherish her sisters Dorothy Wilds of Brooklyn NY; Karen Collier and Terriann Henry of Bellport, NY; Ethel Trent of Lake Grove, NY; Leona Henry and Robert of Mastic Beach, NY; her brothers Shelley Henry, Jr. (Jannette) of Amityville, NY; Henry Bilal (Vera) of Columbia, SC; Timothy Henry (Rachael) of Brentwood, NY; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, bonus grands and great grands.

Verna was predeceased by her husband Private First Class William “Skippy” Wells, her father Ben Simmons, mother Lillie Bell (James) Henry, her sisters Mary L. Brame and Essie D. Simmons, brother Walter P. Henry, and her longtime partner Sylvan L. Murphy.

A celebration of Verna’s life will be held on Monday, December 27, 2021 at 12pm (Noon) at Colonial Funerals, 86 Circular Avenue, Hamden. Viewing in Colonial from 11am-12pm. Condolencesmay be expressed at Colonialfunerals.com.