July 22, 2020
Housing Advocate
Remembered
EDUCATION&CAREERS
Page 7
Alberta Simmons was devoted
to helping people in need
Funeral services were held
Friday, July 17 for Alberta Mae
Simmons, a longtime member
of Portland’s African American
community who was known for
helping people in need, includ-
ing the creation of a nonprofit to
build housing for seniors.
She was born on March 15,
1933 in Houston, Texas where
she lived until her teenage years
when she moved to Berkeley, Ca-
lif. and graduated from Berkeley
High School. She met and mar-
ried Solomon F. Simmons and to
this union of 28 years, four chil-
dren were born.
As a devoted wife, mother,
grandmother, sister and friend,
she was always there to support
anyone in need.
Alberta wore many hats
throughout the years, whether
it was volunteering to be a PTA
president, Girl Scout leader or
working in public schools in
Oakland Calif. and King Ele-
mentary in northeast Portland.
A member of “The Magnifi-
cent Seven” and so many other
organizations, she was a com-
munity activist who spoke her
mind, a woman of strength who
was always about helping others.
She was a true role model who
made a difference by not just
talking about issues, but doing
something about them.
One of the last activist hats
she wore was as co-founder of
Housing Our Families, an im-
portant nonprofit organization
in the community where she will
never be forgotten for enhancing
the lives of others.
While she accomplished un-
A senior housing complex in northeast Portland is named the Alberta Simmons Plaza in honor of
Alberta Simmons, a longtime leader from Portland’s African American community who co-founded
Housing Our Families, a nonprofit community organization.
Alberta Simmons
thinkable good, it was through
the grace of God, her determina-
tion, and the will to succeed that
the “Alberta Simmons” building
will continue to house seniors
in the community for years to
come, honoring her vision for
the elderly.
Alberta Simmons received her
wings of gold on July 6, 2020;
survived by her four children,
Valerie Simmons, Frederic Sim-
mons, John Simmons and Ali-
cia Simmons; 11 grandchildren;
four great grandchildren; and her
brother Archie Harvey.
Services were held at True-
vine Missionary Baptist Church,
4735 N. Commercial Ave. The
arrangements entrusted by Cor-
nerstone Funeral Home.
Avalon Flowers
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