On July 27, 1954 the Lord breathed life into Benita Ruth Simmons and entrusted her to the care of loving parents, Doris Whitaker and Benjamin Simmons. Benita grew up in Norfolk, Virginia and graduated from Granby High School. A free spirit, Benita enjoyed crabbing, fishing, and cooking on the grill. She loved spending time with her family and friends, listening to music, dancing, watching movies, and being the life of the party.
Benita was a kind and extremely loving person with a keen sense of humor. For the people closest to her, she was always there with a huge heart and adoring words. While she didn’t have children of her own, she loved her nieces and nephews with ferocity and instilled invaluable life skills. Being around her was a joy.
On August 12, 2017, the Lord called Benita home to rest. She is predeceased by her father, Benjamin Simmons; her stepfather, William Beckwith; her nephew, Prinest Burton, Jr; her beloved poodle, Race; and bunnies, Bootsi, Sable, Cocoa, and Sunny.
Memories of Benita will be cherished by and continue to live through, her mother, Doris Beckwith; sisters, Carolyn Brown (Emanuel) and Marjorie Burton; brother, Richard Boyce (Rosa); nieces, Kendra Brown-Walker (Michael), Katrina Burton, and Nicole Boyce; nephews, Daryl Boyce (Angela), Lemonte Boyce (Tina), and Richard Boyce, Jr. (Kristin); beloved pet bunny, Prince; and a host of other relatives and friends.