Katherine Steffen

A time to be born…Katherine Steffen was born October 8, 1927 in Newton, Mississippi to Floyd Brown, Sr. and Bessie Watts. She was one of 13 children. A time to grow…Katherine attended Lawrence Middle and Senior High school. She married Morris Simmons in 1946. They moved from Newton, Mississippi to San Diego, California in 1952. A time to embrace…Katherine joined in holy matrimony to the late Morris Simmons in 1946 and from that union they were blessed with 7 children, Larry, Kenny, Charles, Carolyn, Marolyn, Craig and Kelvin. Katherine enjoyed motherhood and over the years developed a closed knit bond and friendship with both of her children. There was rarely a day that would pass, that they would not be on the phone laughing, talking, or sharing life experiences. Katherine (affectionately known as “Kat”) was also the beloved “Grandmama” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It was her mission in life to spoil her grand babies rotten and that she did…very well! To know Katherine is to know that her love extended far beyond her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her nieces, nephews, church family and friends all received her love and attention. On December 1972, Katherine was remarried to Roy Steffen and became a step-mother to his 4 young children, Robert “Bob”, Bruce, Linda and Nancy. A time to serve…Katherine’s life was marked by her selfless act of service to her family, extended family, the community, the needy and the broken hearted. In 1976, she was instrumental in the co-founding of Good News Missionary Baptist Church, where her younger brother, Floyd Brown, Jr. us the pastor. Katherine loved her church family and was a strong supporter of church functions. She served as Choir President and was a driving force behind all church activities. A time to give…Not only giving back to Good News Missionary Baptist Church as a financial contributor, she was also an advocate for the church. Katherine lived to give! Each day Katherine found opportunities to bless someone’s life. Katherine was a virtuous woman of God. She was a mother to many, an encourager to the lost and needy and a true servant. A time to mourn…Katherine leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Roy Steffen, her sister, Rosie Humphrey; her brother, Rev. Floyd Brown, Jr.; six children,: Larry Simmons, Kenny Simmons (Sharon), Charles Simmons (Billie), Carolyn Randle (Ezzard), Craig Simmons (Cassandra) and Marolyn Simmons; 4 step-children: Robert “Bob” Steffen, Bruce Steffen, Linda Wolfe and Nancy Steffen; twenty-one grandchildren; Theresa Lashley, Shon King, Tara Leigh Simmons, Tiffany Simmons, Tamanika Randle, Ahmad Simmons, Rashid Scott (Shatima), Kalila Walker (Derrick), Joy Solomon, Abdula Randle (Erika), Ramisi Briggs (Jeremy), Jomo Randle, Adisa Randle, Annie Coker, Rae Rae Simmons, Anna Matthews, Tasha Matthews, Caleb Steffen, Brianna Steffen, Harmony Steffen, and Adrienne Randle; thirty-three great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews, church family and friends. Katherine was preceded in death by her mother, Bessie Watts and father, Floyd Brown, Sr.; brothers Benson, Brooksie, Vilbert, Selby, Howard, British and Obie; sisters Olinda, Della, and Beulah; son, Kelvin “Tiny” Simmons; grandchildren, Alicia Simmons (Kenneth Simmons), Phalandra Betria Simmons, Batuni Simmons (Craig Simmons), Jared Steffen (Bruce Steffen) and Miesha Simmons (Charles Simmons); and one great-grandchild, Ayana Scott (Tamanika Randle).