Simmons was born in
Powhatan, Louisiana, in 1910. Her family moved to
Chicago when Simmons was seven year old. After she graduated from high school she went to work for the Martin and Morris Music Company. In 1940 Simmons became a member of the
Sallie Martin Singers. She moved to Los Angeles in 1947. In 1948, she and
Doris Akers (1923–1995) formed the Simmons-Akers Singers. Their music played a part in the expanding Los Angeles gospel movement and emphasized melody and a smooth sound. Simmons sang
soprano and Akers sang
mezzo-soprano-alto. Simmons died in 1996. ==References==