Obituaries

Gracie Simons House

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Services on Monday in the Antioch A.M.E. Zion Church, 1136 Antioch A.M.E. Zion Church Road, Eastover, South Carolina with burial to follow in the Red Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Congaree Church Road, Gadsden, South Carolina.

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Mrs. Gracie Simons House, 70, departed her earthly life on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, from Palmetto Health Baptist Medical Center. She was born to the late Constinee and Christobell Chavis Simons on August 1, 1939 in Eastover, South Carolina.

She received an Associate of Arts Degree from Clinton Junior College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Benedict College. An avid believer in the importance of education, Mrs. House furthered her studies at Northern Michigan University, the University of South Carolina, Columbia College and Clemson University and received numerous education certifications. 

Instilling a love of learning in the hearts of young children was a prime objective for Mrs. House. Her retirement in July of 2009 capped a 38-year career as a pre-school teacher and, ultimately, Director of the Saint John Baptist Church Preparatory School, where she followed the guiding principles of providing a wholesome, consistent and well-planned educational program. During her tenure, nearly 1,000 children were academically and socially prepared to enter the first grade.  As Director, Mrs. House oversaw the 1997 expansion of the facility, and was instrumental in designing aspects that were conducive to the learning environment.

Mrs. House was an avid supporter and leader of the Brownie and Daisy Girl Scout troops, and was named a Woman of Distinction by the Congaree Girl Scout Council in 1989. She also served as a National Delegate for the organization, and received numerous awards and accolades for her involvement.  In 2005, Mrs. House volunteered to serve on the Richland County First Steps Partnership Board to help ensure that children of the Midlands would enter first grade healthy and ready to learn. In her spare time, Mrs. House enjoyed volunteerism, reading, sewing, exercising, and singing in her church.

Mrs. House was a member of Antioch AME Zion Church in Eastover, where she sang on the Senior Choir and was active in the Ministry of Kindness, Young at Heart, Praise Heart Dancers, Missionary, Sunday School and Education programs. She was President of the Columbia-Camden District of the Palmetto Conference of the Overseas Missionary Society of the AME Zion Church, a member of the Crossroads Community Center Board of Directors and the Berkeley Forest Neighborhood Association and was active in the Richland County Council of Neighborhoods. Her spare time was devoted to volunteerism, reading, sewing, and her exercise routine.

Mrs. House was predeceased by parents, her sister and mentor, Dr. Juanita Simons Scott.  

Left to treasure fond memories are her husband of 48 years,  Allen J. House (USAF-Retired); daughter, Tammy (Dr. Harry) Rutherford of Columbia; sons, Alan Jay House of Los Angeles, CA and Alvin Gregory House of Columbia; step grandchildren, Dr. Harry B. “Torr” Rutherford, III of Atlanta, GA, Representative J. Todd (Naida Harris) Rutherford, Dr. Trace (Dr. Antoinette Williams) Rutherford and two step-great-grandchildren, Madeline Rutherford and James Todd “Ty” Rutherford, II, all of Columbia, SC; sisters, Holly Simons Scott, Mary (Willie) Lindsey and Barbara Simons Cook of Columbia, Levola (Zack) Taylor of Gadsden, Catherine (Eugene) Reed and Deborah (Joe) Smith of Eastover, Paulette (Pete) Hipps of Sumter, Carolyn (Anthony) Williams of Orangeburg, Brenda (Edward) Wider of Orlando, FL and Glenda (Edward) Carter of Atlanta, GA; brothers, Constinee (Carol) Simons and Curtis (Betty) Simons of Eastover and The Honorable Donald Jeff (Peggy) Simons of Columbia; a brother-in-law, Dr. Robert (Dr. Cathine) Scott of Columbia; and a host of extended family and loving friends.

Services: Monday, 07/26/2010 11:00 AM

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