Donna Gail

Simmons-Willis

Donna Gail was born June 8, 1950, in Chattanooga, Tennessee to the late John Wesley Simmons and the late Juanita Lawrence Simmons.

Donna Gail was a 1968 Fairmont High School graduate, where she was the head majorette. She continued her education at Spelman College where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree. She also received her Master's Degree in Education from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Donna Gail was an experienced teacher and administrator with an array of educational experiences including Assistant Principal in Leon County Florida.

She was a UniServ Director for North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAT), Day Care Center Owner "Little People of Tomorrow" in West Palm Beach, Florida. Donna Gai retired from Palm Beach County School, and Clayton County Public School System. She moved to Melbourne Florida, where she helped implement the opening of Emma Jewel Charter Academy until she relocated back home to Georgia. Donna Gail accepted Jesus Christ in her life at an early age. She played the piano for Sunday School for many years.

While in Florida Donna Gail joined Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Melbourne where the Senior Pastor is Reverend Harris. With her deep love for dance, she founded the Rhythm Nation Dance Program in Griffin, Georgia, where she shared her passion for dance and inspired others through movement and creativity. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and dedicated herself to serving others through her involvement with Meals on Wheels and the Sister-to-Sister Connection Ministry in Melbourne, Florida.

Through her love of dance, commitment to service, and dedication to sisterhood, she touched many lives and left a lasting legacy in the communities she served. On October 9, 2026, God chose to call his servant home, saying "Job Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant."

She leaves behind a family who loved her deeply and will carry her memory in their hearts forever: her devoted son, Ronald Davis II; her beloved daughter-in-law, Siobhan Davis; and her cherished grandchildren, Tobias Davis and Zaria Davis. She is also lovingly remembered by her faithful sister, Caramita Simmons Brown; her nieces, Emerald Dowdell and Deja Lynch; her great-nephews, Jace Rojas, Emory Satterfield,
and Rocko Hagger; and her special brother in Christ, Robert Blackwell. Donna Gail's love, strength, laughter, and spirit will continue to live on through the many lives she touched. She leaves behind a host of family members and dear friends who will miss her more than words can express.

Service will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Mt. Zion Baptist Church locatd at 321 East Taylor Street. The body will lie in state at the Church from 9:00 Am until the hour of the service. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Pastor Keynon Jackson is the Pastor of Mt. Zion and Rev. Dr. Cleopatrick Lacy is the Eulogist.