Mrs. Antoinette Simmons-Long (Toni) was born on December 12, 1956 in Harlem New York to the late, Ms. Mattie Simmons and Mr. William Sweeper. Mattie soon relocated with Antoinette to Jersey City, NJ; where Toni began her early education at PS 20 elementary school and would later finish up her studies at Henry Snyder High School.
While young, Antoinette became popular due to her beautiful appearance and phenomenal sense of fashion. So much so, that her nickname to many people would become Hollywood. With such beautiful looks and fancy clothes, Toni was recruited, and became a model for Barbazon Modeling agency in New York City. Despite her popularity she was always known to be humble and kind. Toni was quite often the person telling hilarious stories. Friends, family, coworkers, and associates all knew and loved Antoinette for her upstanding character, and 1 of a kind personality.
Early years of life for Toni had presented challenges that not many people can recover from. Experiencing trauma and hardship as a youth led her on a different path from where she began. But with God, resilience, strength and tenacity she pulled herself out of those dark times, and her story became her testimony.
In 1980 she entered into marriage with Mr. Phillip Long, whom she remained in union with until his untimely death in 2001.
Toni was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and younger brother Kenneth. Left to honor her memory is daughter Saidia, sons: Phillip, Teriq, Shaquer Simmons, and Franklin Williams. Four grandchildren: Grandsons, Ishmaiel Johnson, King Williams. Granddaughters, Zarin Johnson, and Azuray Williams. Toni is also survived by two loving sisters and one brother. Gwendolyn Simmons (Jeremiah Burke), Tamica Brown (Kevin Brown), and Kyle Sweeper. Nephews, Judge and Jamal Simmons, Kevin Brown Jr. Nieces, Amiriah Burke, Yazmine Burke, Jovonna Brown and Jocelyn Brown Goddaughters, Kimba Smith, Rasheeda Washington, Kaliah Ballon, Godsister, Tyshon Burke and a whole host of grand nieces, nephews, great/grand aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and family.
Antionette truly loved her family and would often say “I come from Good Stock, or tell other family members, “You Come from Good Stock’ when referencing the historically strong men and women of the Proctor-Wright family heritage. Many of these remarkable people whom had a hand in raising her ultimately preceded her in death. Perhaps Toni is in heaven right now smiling, laughing, and sharing funny stories with her late relatives: Elegant grandmother Florence Simmons, beautiful mother Mrs. Mattie Simmons, phenomenal aunts Ethel Proctor-Wright (Aunt Booie), Edith Garrett, Martha Wright, distinguished uncles Billy Simmons, Robert Simmons, and Nathaniel Wright. Part of that historical Proctor-Wright team (whom a debt of gratitude is owed) still here to talk about it are Aunts Emma-Jean Jenkins, Alberta Hugenin, Jessie Scott, Mary Rock, Edna Smith, and ‘Uncle Slim’ (Henry Simmons).
Of all things, Toni especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren friends and family. She loved music. Her favorite group was ‘The Whispers.’ She will be greatly missed,
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