DeShawn "Poppy" Simmons

Born DeShawn Yvette on November 3, 1971, in Chicago, Poppy was raised by James and Kattie Malone. In 1989, she graduated high school and went on to receive her bachelors. Throughout her adult life, she worked as a bartender at local pubs and as a paralegal for Kadenge Law and later Parrish Law in Waterloo. To help her daughter take a trip to France, she began working with her boys at Comp Systems. She loved her boys and kept her second job until her breast cancer diagnosis in 2018. She had been in remission for almost 6 years. In February of 1992, Poppy gave birth to her “only Pearl”, Joninice. June of 2013, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, her hunny, Keith Simmons. In May of 2014, she sped in the rain for the birth of her LouLou (Talyah). She was a strong woman who loved hard and care deeply for her loved ones. She enjoyed her crime and cooking shows. But nothing brought her more joy than being a Nana. 

Survived by her mom Kattie Malone of Mississippi. Her husband Keith Simmons, daughter Joninice H. and granddaughter Talyah all of Evansdale, IA. Aunts Betty Gilmore and Inell Peggs of Waterloo, IA. Uncle Walter Wilson Sr. of Cedar Rapids, IA. Siblings Demetris Jones, Daryl Briner and twin sister LaShawn Braswell of Minnesota. Robin Briner of Waterloo, IA. Kevin Braswell of Des Moines, IA. Darryl Dukes of Maryland. Darcel Thompson, Angie Holcomb, Renee, Patricia Braswell, Lamar and Theodore Braswell of Chicago, IL. And a plethora of nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Walter Sr and Rebecca Wilson. Father James Malone. Theodore Braswell Sr. Aunts Nora Robinson, E. Marie Stigler and Earlene Chamberlain. Cousins Micheal Levy Jr and Trinette Wilson. Grand nephew and niece Jadon Higgenbothan and Hope Amiri Briner.

Graveside Services will be April 24, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Garden of Memories in Waterloo.