Luisa Gilbert-Simmons was born in apartment building on Monday, January 2, 1956 to the parentage of The Late James Henry Gilbert & Bobbie Lee Davis in Cochran, Georgia .

"Tootsie" as she was known grew up in Miami, Florida where she was educated at Miami Northwestern Senior High School. At a young age, "Tootsie" was baptised and gave her life to Christ, joining the Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Miami, Florida.

She later met and married Ben Walter Simmons in Miami, Florida and Joined Jesus People Ministries Church International Inc. .

On Sunday, September 12, 2010, at 6:55 p.m. the Lord took her unto himself where there is no pain or tears. '

She is preceded in death by her loved father Mr. James Henry Gilbert & her sweet mother Mrs. Bobbie Lee Gilbert and her granddaughter, Samia Lashawn Gilbert (Mia), and her loving son Haskell Riley Gilbert (Buddie).

She leaves to cherish her loving memories her husband Ben Walter Simmons, two lovely Daughters Lashawn Gilbert of Erie, Pennsylvania & Trachesia Gilbert of Miramar, Florida., one son Haskell R. Gilbert of Miami, Florida., and five sisters Bertina Gilbert and Earnestine Gilbert of Miami, Florida. Christine Manuel of New Jersey, Jeannie & Jannie Green of New Jersey and one brother Johnnie Lee Davis, Sr. of New Jersey, eleven grandchildren Jeffrey Wheeler, Jr., Jevon R. Wheeler of Erie, Pennsylvania., Telvin D. Gilbert, Isaiah N. Wheeler, Octavis Ruffin, Jr. Veronica Ruffin, Johnica T. Collier, Stemaurie D. Evans, Haskell R. Gilbert, Jr., Ashunti R. Zanders, Torrence M. Gilbert, & ; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and sorrowing friends.