Aliyah Christine Simms, loving baby
Aliyah Christine Simms arrived with much fanfare Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, at Christiana Hospital in Newark. She was greeted with loving arms by her parents, Alexa R. Howard and Kevin C. Simms. Her paternal grandparents, Gail and Linwood Reid, as well as her maternal grandmother, Angie Chandler were there to join in the celebration.
Aliyah was a bundle of joy who brought much love and happiness to her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. She was such a loving child that everyone who came in contact with her was touched by her loving spirit.
Aliyah loved watching Boss Baby and Moana. She would get upset with you if you interrupted her shows. Aliyah would roll her eyes and move herself to the side so that she could see around you. She would put her finger to her lips as if to say shhhhh to her Pop-pop Linwood when he would start talking during her show. One of her favorite pasttime event to entertain herself and her parents, was to lift her legs high and touch her face with her toes. Even when she had her legs in casts, she would still throw her leg up in the air which made her mommy and daddy laugh. When Aliyah was ready to get up, she would let it be known by shaking her head yes and saying, “Up, up, up.”
Aliyah’s mommy and daddy selflessly shared her time, affection and love with her grandparents, especially Mom-mom Gail. Mom-mom Gail would give mommy and daddy a break so that she could spend her weekends with Aliyah, sharing their love and joy of just being together.
God and Aliyah had a conversation and decided it was time for her to come home with him. She left behind to continue their life journey her parents, Alexa R. Howard and Kevin C. Simms; her paternal grandparents, Gail and Linwood Reid, and Cletis T. Simms Sr.; her maternal grandparents, Brandice and Mario Howard, and Angie Chandler; her maternal great-grandparents, Cheryl and Kentledgh Helmpierce, David A. Howell, Shirley Helm, James and Sandra Jones Dillard, Annette and Fred Howard Sr.; seven uncles, Cletis T. Simms Jr. of South Carolina, Philip B. Simms, Tahj Mills of Millsboro, Maric Howard, Desmond Howard, Candon Howard and Yalelet Fikre, all of Baltimore, Md.; one aunt, Alaya Mills of Millsboro; her godparents, Isaiah Bailey and Keonshae Sturgis; a host of great-aunts, -uncles, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her paternal great-grandparents, Sarah and Lynwood Taylor.
Aliyah was also blessed to have a second family, the doctors, nurses and staff of A.I. DuPont Hospital in Wilmington. She will forever be grateful to the Ronald McDonald House staff for taking such good care of her mommy, daddy, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
Heaven make way; make way for Aliyah!
A Funeral Service and Celebration of her life will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 23, at Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call for viewing and visitation from noon to 1 p.m. Burial will follow in Old Field Cemetery in Millsboro.
Electronic condolences may be made via www.watsonfh.com.
