February 24, 1932 — January, 2023
OBITUARY
Frances Joy Simmons was born in Jacksonville, Florida on February 24, 1932 to Thomas Eugene Simmons, Sr. and Alberta (Bertie) Evelyn Melton Simmons, affectionately known as "Bunny". Joy, just as her name suggests, was a bright, high spirited, but slightly mischievous child.
As a teenager, Joy attended Jacksonville's historic Stanton High School, where she was a majorette in the marching band. There she met her future husband, John Henry Bustamante. From Stanton, she enrolled in Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia as a sociology major.
In 1953, she took leave from Spelman and married John in Boston, Massachusetts where he was a law student at Harvard University. Their first son, Michael Tuan, was born soon after they settled in Cleveland following John's law school graduation. Shortly after, Joy returned to Spelman, graduating in 1957. The family grew to include Zelma Sonali, J.W. Andre, Kamala Joy and the youngest, Joachim David, who preceded her in death. Joy had a close relationship with each of her children and had a way of making them all feel special, loved and important.
The young couple thrived in Cleveland. While John became a prominent attorney and businessman, Joy was an active partner in all of John's endeavors, particularly serving as hostess for the many fund-raisers, meetings and receptions from which the First Bank National Association, Cleveland's first black bank and national holding company were established. Joy loved to entertain, and the family home on Coventry Road in Shaker Heights, witnessed many local and national dignitaries and celebrities enjoy soul food dinners as music resonated from the family juke box.
In the late seventies, Joy and John parted ways. Joy continued her activities with several civic and social organizations, including the local chapters of well established national black organizations such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, The Links, Girl Friends, and Jack and Jill of America. Joy was also a member of the Local Attorneys Wives (L.A.W.) and the Jet Set Bridge Club. Joy was dedicated to these groups and their causes, serving each with grace and humility. She could be counted on to bring spice and life to every festive occasion.
As the Bustamante children grew up and ventured off to college, Joy earned a paralegal degree and began a career as a Support Enforcement Officer for Cuyahoga County's Court of Domestic Relations. She retired in 2002 after 32 years of dedicated service.
Joy's retirement years found her welcoming grandchildren Michelle Wilson Jeffery (Dale), Napoleon Stephen Wilson, III (Marva), Aushayla Brown Peddy ( Rhaigeon Sr. aka "Mitch"), Gabrielle and Michael Bustamante, Martine, Joy and Julian Wilson, and great grandchildren Myles Jeffery, Elyzjah and Leah Wilson, and Rhaigeon, Jr. ("MJ") and Rhajah Peddy, all of whom affectionately called her "Grancy".
Joy was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Thomas Eugene Simmons, Jr. and Frank W. Simmons, and sister Betty Johnson. She is survived by her sons Tuan and André, and daughters Sonali B. Wilson (N. Stephen), and Kamala Bustamante Goode (Frank); her grandchildren and great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Gloria Simmons, Juanita Simmons, and Ethel B. Brooks, and a host of dear friends and family.
The funeral service will take place on January 7m 2023, beginning at 11:30a at Mt. Zion UCC, 10723 Magnolia Dr. [44106]. Remembrance services by the L.I.N.K.S. and Delta Sigma Theta will precede the funeral at 10:30 and 11a respectively.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of Joy be directed to Hope for a Cure for ALZ, POBox 24292, Cleveland, Ohio. The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that funds Alzheimers Research.
The family would like to thank the staff at Menorah Park Retirement Living, especially the caring team in Fairmount 2, for taking wonderful care of Frances Joy these last few years.
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