Florence Helen Ware Simon

Mrs. Florence Helen Ware Simon, 100, of Youngstown was born May 20, 1924, a daughter of Casper and Virginia Dyer Ware.  Florence was a life-long resident and had spent her life in dedicated, committed service to her family, church and community.  She transitioned from this earthly labor to her eternal reward on June 19, 2024 at her home surrounded by her loving family.     

She attended the Youngstown City Public Schools, graduating from Scienceville High School, later known as North High School. She received years of Biblical and Christian Training at her church, New Bethel Baptist, the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, Progressive National Baptist Congress of Christian Education and the Northern Ohio Baptist District Association.

She was a former employee of Sears Roebuck and Co., retiring in 1986 after seventeen years of employment. She also spent five years with the Baby- Toddler- Child Day Care as a pre-school teacher.

Her community service included: The United Methodist Community Center as a board member, Protestant Family Service, Church Women United, Baptist Minister Wives Council, former president of the Women’s Auxiliary for the Canton/Warren Youngstown Sub-district of the Northern Ohio Baptist District Association, and a volunteer for the “STARS” program (Seniors Teaching and Reaching Students).

In New Bethel she served as a teacher in the Sunday School Department, a member of the Mission and Deaconess Ministries, Senior Adult Choir, and Senior Ministry. She  also served on various special committees.

Sis. Simon  received numerous awards, including the New Bethel “Woman of the Year” Award in 1985, the National Negro Association of Business and Professional Women’s “Meritorious Service Award” in 1989 and the Covenant Chapter, #48 O.E.S., “Mother of the Year” Award in 1993.

Married to the late Rev. Lonnie Kwajo Asim Simon, who was the former pastor and Pastor Emeritus of New Bethel Baptist Church. She is the proud mother of their four children, Ms. Janet Write and the Rev. Kenneth (Wendy) Simon of Youngstown, Ms. Lonita Ross of Pittsburgh, PA and Rev. Cynthia (Morris) Layton of York, PA. She has eight grandchildren: Tara, Kendra, Keisha, Kenny, Darren, David, Michaela and Janelle; and nine great-grandchildren: Christopher Jr. (CJ), Tarren, Aria, Nia, Dayna, Maya, Roman, Israel and Pray Joseph; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, whom she married May 14, 1949 and who passed away October 29, 2012; siblings, Ruth Bell, James “Jimmie” Ware; and her grandson, Anthony Layton.

The family will receive guests on Friday, June 28, 2024 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman Street, Youngstown, OH 44507. A celebration of her life and legacy will follow at 11:00 a.m.  Material contributions can be made to the:  New Bethel Baptist Church, (please note on the memo line “The Rev. L. K. A. Simon Scholarship).

“Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs 31:29-31)

Ministry of Comfort, Love and Dignity entrusted to the L. E. Black,Phillips and Holden Funeral Home.

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