Lula Simon
January 17, 1947 ~ July 27, 2024
Born in: Scotland Neck, NC
After a courageous stand against Alzheimer’s disease, Lula Simon entered eternal rest with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on Saturday, July 27, 2024. Lula is survived by her son Keith Twiddy and his wife Jessie, her daughter Heather Raber and her husband Roger, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Deborah Bowen, and her husband Larry, and many nieces and nephews. Lula was preceded in death by her husband Nolan Simon, son Eric Twiddy, a granddaughter, both parents, two sisters, and her brother.
Lula loved her children and grandchildren fiercely – and shared freely with them the deep love of Jesus. Now they grieve with grateful hearts and certain hope knowing that nothing can separate them from the love of Christ Jesus.
Born in a small drug store in Scotland Neck, NC Lula always had an eye for beauty. She often shared that her earliest memory was the deep and vibrant blue sky she believed she saw when her parents took her home after birth! Wildflowers, songbirds, butterflies, and daffodils were among her very favorite things. For all of her life, Lula sought beauty and tried to create a beautiful world for others.
She did not choose a traditional profession but followed her dreams with a true entrepreneurial spirit. For many years she worked with children, serving as a teacher’s aide, preschool teacher, daycare provider, Sunday School teacher, and her most important job – mother to her three children. She started her own commercial and residential cleaning business for a short time. Lula, however, achieved her most exciting business venture when she established Top Shelf Shoe Shine at a regional airport in northeast Ohio. Her shoeshine chair allowed her to hear, and record, some of the deepest reflections from the human soul from NFL greats, presidential cabinet heads, Fortune 500 executives, janitors, school teachers, and every other walk of life while she shined and brightened their soles.
In her free time, Lula was an artist and poet. She leaves this encouragement for those who now grieve her physical presence, a poem she penned years ago:
Now everyone knows my burdens are gone.
The fortune I seek, I don’t seek alone.
The glory that shines is truly from within,
It’s the glory of God that took my hardships and sin.
My eyes beam brightly, my heart beats fast,
My mind no longer clings to a wayward past.
The song of the night is the whisper of God,
It’s the path of salvation that now I trod.
My future is in heaven with the king of Kings.
I’ve climbed from the pits of hell to hear angels sing.
I glow with his truth and wear no mask,
My heart feels pure, my soul free at last.
My God has buried my sins so deep,
That my sleep is now a sleep of peace.
The road that I’ve taken is straight and sure,
With God as my hope, all things I endure.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held for Lula in the Chapel at Trinity Baptist Church, 4815 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC on August 16 at 2:00 PM, the family will receive friends after the service in the Columbarium Garden. Because we know with certainty that “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:54) join us in donning beautiful colors and patterns rather than black for Lula’s service.
In place of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to Trinity Baptist Church.
Services
Celebration of Life: August 16, 2024 2:00 pm
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Lula Simon 's name.
Heather and family, praying for you at this time as you say goodbye. God bless you with renewed hope and comfort.
Heather and family,
I just found out about Lula Bell…I am so sorry and thank you for taking care of your Mama. It was so good to see her at Aunt Florences funeral..had been way too long. I called her often but didn’t get to see her. I loved her dearly and have wonderful heartfelt memories of her. She was a beautiful lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless..
Love,
Sue Stroud Davis