Malinda Simms

Malinda Ann Bryant was born on Saturday, September 2, 1950, in Columbus, Ohio, to parents, Osalee Johnson and Thelma Poindexter. Malinda spent her early years in the city’s south end.  She was a student of Columbus public schools and attended Reeb Avenue Elementary School to begin her education. At the age of 10, she accepted the Lord into her life and was baptized at the Gay Street Baptist Church on the city’s east side, thus beginning her walk with God.

As a teenager, she attended Columbus East High School. During those years, she became a member of Junior Achievement USA and found employment working for the United States Postal Service.  She would go on to graduate from Central High School, which is now home to COSI near downtown Columbus.  In 1970, she began her career with Franklin County Job and Family Services. During this time in her late teens, she would become a member of Church of God in Christ on Brentnell Avenue, where she sang in the choir for many years and became a missionary. In 1972, she also became a member of the Lamb’s Bible Study, led by Pastor Sarah Clark, who is Malinda’s Spiritual Mother.

At the age of 29, Malinda lost her mother and took on a supportive role in her family, becoming a motherly figure to those who needed her. In June of 1988, she gave birth to her son, Shawn, whom she raised to love the Lord. In 1994, Malinda married the love of her life, Willie Leo Simms.  After ten years of marriage, they divorced, but never stopped loving each other.

In the year 2007, Malinda retired from Franklin County Job and Family Services after 37 years of service. Throughout her life she has been a mother to many. Malinda has been a walking testimony of faith and a pillar of strength to all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Osalee and Thelma; grandparents; Ernest and Alma Smiley, brothers; Gary, Ernest, and Walter.  She is survived by her son; Shawn, sisters; Barbara (Dennis), Shirley, and Wyleen, brothers; Richard and Eric (Rebecca); and a host of nieces and nephews.

The love Malinda has shown through the kindness of her spirit has touched the hearts of many throughout the years. She will be missed.

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