Henry Simon

— A Preacher With Vision —REVEREND DR. HENRY SIMON, one of Baltimore’s most recognized and inspiring ministers, was born to Deacon Peter and Sis. Winnie Simon on July 22, 1936 in Darlington, South Carolina. Dr. Simon went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday morning, October 30, 2002. In 1941, he moved to Baltimore where he continued his education, his growth in the Lord, and eventually to start a family. In 1958, Rev. Simon was joined in holy matrimony with the love of his life, Ms. Janie Dewitt. Out of this union they were blessed with one son and three daughters. Reverend Simon joined Southern Baptist Church under the pastorship of the late Reverend J.R. Grant. Reverend Simon served as a member of the Sunday School, Jubilee Chorus, Male Chorus, and Vocal Choir. Under the pastorship of Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Higgs, Reverend Simon served on and was later appointed assistant Chairman of the Trustee Board. In 1969, while he was still a faithful employee at Fort George Meade, God began to reveal a greater work for Reverend Simon and felt it necessary for him to serve as one of His shepherds in His vineyard; so God called him to the Gospel Ministry. On August 3, 1969, while a member of Southern Baptist Church, under the pastorship of Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Higgs, Reverend Simon received his certificate of license to preach the Gospel Ministry. He was ordained on July 26, 1972. From 1969 to 1974, Reverend Simon served as an Associate Minister of Southern Baptist Church. From 1969 to 1971, Reverend Simon attended the Maryland School of Religion. From 1971 to 1976, he attended Virginia Seminary. On May 3, 1976, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Virginia Seminary, Lynchburg, Virginia. On Sunday, August 4, 1974 before more than 500 members, Reverend Simon was installed as the second pastor of First Baptist Church of Cherry Hill. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the pastorship of Reverend Simon, First Baptist Church, Cherry Hill, held their ground breaking service on Sunday, September 11, 1977, for the new $500,000 edifice. With God and Reverend Simon’s vision, the Church celebrated its Mortgage Burning Ceremony on Sunday, April 22, 1990, seeing the enormous debt satisfied in less than half the original 24-year term of the mortgage note. On Friday, March 19, 1982, Reverend Simon was conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree by Rev. A. C. D. Vaughn, Chairman of Board of Managers, Virginia College and Seminary, Lynchburg, Virginia. In addition to his many pastoral duties and obligations, Rev. Dr. Henry Simon has served as Sunday School Commentator of the Baptist Pastors Conference, member of the Trustee Board of the Maryland Baptist Center and School of Religion, member of the NAACP, member of the Baltimore Ministers Conference, member of the School Advisory Council of Carter Godwin Woodson Elementary School, Pastoral Care member of Harbor Hospital Center (formerly the South Baltimore General Hospital), Recording Secretary of the United Baptist Missionary Convention of Maryland, and First Vice President of the Baptist Pastor’s Conference of Baltimore and Vicinity. He served as President of the Baptist Pastor’s Conference of Baltimore and Vicinity, as well as advisor to the President of the Baptist Pastor’s Conference of Baltimore and Vicinity along with being a member of the Special Affairs Committee. He also served as Trustee of the United Baptist Missionary Conference and Treasurer of the Baptist Ministers’ Conference and was currently serving as First Vice President. In 1998, Reverend Simon was honored for 25 years in the ministry by the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Baltimore and Vicinity. During this year, he also hosted the Layman’s League Monthly Meeting and Workshop. In 1999, he was one of the Fullwood Foundation honorees and hosted the Quarterly Meeting for the United Baptist Missionary Convention and Auxiliaries of Maryland in February. Reverend Simon was also instrumental in the purchasing of a new $55,000.00, 24-passenger church bus. Joy was felt by all when Reverend Simon hosted the Morgan State University Choir in concert on Sunday, May 23, 1999 at First Baptist Church, given in honor of his 25th Anniversary (Dr. Nathan Carter, Director.) Reverend Simon relished above all awards and titles he had garnered during the years, the ultimate one as shepherd. He felt the greatest honor bestowed on him had been God’s calling him to preach and teach His Holy Word. No other award presented to man had a higher honor than the call to preach God’s Holy Word. No other vocation, according to Reverend Simon, could compare with the enormity of gratification he had realized by sharing in the responsibility, joy and commitment presented in his answering the call from God. Reverend Simon preached his last sermon at First Baptist Church of Cherry Hill on Sunday, October 20, 2002 at the Family and Friends Day Service. This was a special day because this was the first time Rev. Simon and Sis. Simon shared the pulpit. Their message was reflective of the family’s morals, values and unity with faith in God. As Sister Simon ended her message, Rev. Simon sang, “See What The Lord Has Done” as he came forth preparing to deliver the Word of God. In allowing the Lord to use him, Rev. Simon was a good provider for his family and did help as many people in the Cherry Hill community as well as the surrounding areas of the city and state. He was a preacher and teacher in the Gospel ministry; a born-again believer who pledged his full dedication and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted wife, Janie Dewitt Simon; one son, Rev. Henry Simon Jr.; three daughters, Celestine Partlow, Clementine Simon and Carolyn Frazier; one stepson, Sylvester Dewitt; one daughter-in-law, Tammie Dewitt; three sons-in-law, William Partlow, Tyrone Willingham and Vincent Frazier; seven grandchildren, Alease Davis, Antoine, Davonne, Dominique and Jaylen, Meshach and Sierra Simon; one great-granddaughter, Sade Johnson; (he was preceded in death by his beloved granddaughter, Latonya Jeannette Simon, whose memory goes on by the establishment of the Latonya Jeannette Simon Memorial Scholarship); and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Henry Simon

July 22, 1936 - October 30, 2002