The Rev. Cheryl Simmons

Cheryl is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but her father was career Navy and they lived in several different states. She has a BA in music from Louisiana College, and a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Rev. Simmons has also studied at The University of Louisville, Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, and Virginia Commonwealth University.  She was ordained in 1982 at Calvary Baptist Church in Roanoke, where she was serving as a Baptist Campus Minister.  She has also served Baptist churches in Louisville, KY, and Waynesboro and Vienna, VA.  Cheryl transferred into the VA Conference of the UMC in 1997, and has served Arlington UMC, Bethlehem UMC, and Salem UMC on the Charlottesville District, Community UMC in Virginia Beach, and Central UMC in Hampton.

Cheryl loves to read, especially a good mystery.  She also loves classical music, particularly Mozart and Brahms, and Bach on the organ.  She can be bribed with carrot cake, cherry pie, and just about anything chocolate.

Her parents, T.G. and Betty Simmons, are retired and live in Baton Rouge.  Her sister and brother-in-law, Terri and John Cook, live in Zachary, LA with their four “children” (2 dogs, 2 cats).  Cheryl is blessed to be part of a large extended family; most of them living in South Louisiana. 

In addition to being pastor, Cheryl serves on a few district and conference committees:

She is the registrar for our District Committee on Ordained Ministry; serves on the VA Conference Commission on the Status and Role of Women; and is the co-chair of our Conference Sexual Ethics Response Team, appointed by the Bishop.  Also, she currently serves on two task forces, one through the Leadership Development Institute and one appointed by the Bishop.