Sharon Y. Simmons

Today, we gather to pay tribute and honor the life of an exceptional individual, Sharon Y. Simmons, whose kind, friendly, and compassionate demeanor endeared her to many. On April 6, 2023, Sharon, who was affectionately known as "Lan or Landa" by her family and later as Haniyfa by her friends, which means “True Believer” in Arabic, was called home by the Lord, leaving behind a legacy of love and compassion that will continue to inspire us.

Born on May 2, 1962, in Brooklyn, NY, Sharon was the first child of Willie C. and Ada B. Simmons. She was a dedicated student, graduating from Clara Barton High School with honors in the Nursing Program. Sharon's pursuit of knowledge continued as she went on to study Nursing at CUNY York College and The Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) as an undergraduate.

Sharon was a hard and meticulous worker, and her dedication led her to work at some of the top companies in New York and New Jersey, including First Boston Bank, Abraham & Straus (A&S) Stores, and ADP business processing services.

In December 1987, Sharon met Fatiyn Muhammad (Ernest Stroman) and they fell in love. In that union they started a family and in August 1992, they had their first-born daughter; Fatiya Yaasmiyn Simmons-Stroman. Then in January 1996, they were blessed with their second daughter; Rukaiya Janaé Simmons-Stroman.  Sharon loved her daughters immensely, a bond that started with them being in her wound which intensified through their childhood and into their adult lives.

Throughout Sharon’s life she struggled with chronic pain and illness being born with Sickle Cell Anemia, which is an inherited blood cell disorder that affects the hemoglobin portion in the red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. However, Sharon never let her health challenges with Sickle Cell Anemia put a damper on living a productive, fun, and fulfilling life. She became a member of two Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness organizations; The Sickle Cell Thalassemia Patients Network and QSCAN (Queens Sickle Cell Awareness Network) where she was an advocate on educating and bringing awareness to others about Sickle Cell Anemia.

Sharon leaves to cherish her many precious memories; daughters Fatiya Yaasmiyn Simmons-Stroman and Rukaiya Janaé Simmons-Stroman of Springfield Gardens, NY; spouse Fatiyn Muhammad of Florence, SC; parents Willie C. and Ada B. Simmons of Smoaks, SC; brother Willie L. Simmons (Lisa) of the Bronx, NY; sister Annette M. Henry of Bunnell, Florida; aunts and uncles: Mrs. Nancy Milton (late Ernest), Philadelphia, PA., Mrs. Allydine (late Thomas Lee) Simmons, of Walterboro, SC, Mrs. Joyce Simmons (late Benjamin), Mr. Nolan (Brenda) Simmons of Smoaks, SC; devoted uncle, Mr. John (late Gail) Longmire, of Walterboro, SC; special loving niece and nephew: Monica and Jared Simmons of Charleston, SC; niece: Malissa Simmons of the Bronx, NY; two loving cousins: Steven (Tamika) Longmire of Queens, NY and Lakeif (Monifa) Longmire of Charlotte, NC; although she had a host of cousins and other relatives, a very special sister-friend, Rena Alexander of Brooklyn, NY; and two motherly daughters; Alexis Morpeau and Kimlin Townsend of Long Island, NY.

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