Simona Faison Smith began her journey on January 29th, 1943. She was born to the parents of Celestine Ollie Fuller and Dr. Eugene J. Gadson.

By her father she was the oldest of three children. Her mother Celestine Gadson, brother Alan Gene Gadson and now Dr. Eugene J. Gadson have preceded her in death. She is survived by her youngest sibling Karen R. Gadson.

Simona was blessed with family and children each of whom she loved dearly. She married young to Jerry M. Faison Jr. and gave birth to Jerry M. Faison III and Celestine M. Faison. In her second marriage to Clifton Smith Jr. she gave birth to her youngest and last child Aisha Smith.
Simona spent her life in New York City in the borough of Queens being raised by her grandmother Helen Lindsey Riddick. In her adult life she once resided in Brooklyn and other various locations in Queens. The later of her adult life she resided in Jamaica, Queens.

Through her life Simona was a hard working woman who obtained her Bachelors of Science degree at NYU and then continued her education to achieve a Master’s Degree in Psychology at Long Island University. During this time she had many occupations such as Radiologist Technician, Social Security Administration Worker, and Independent Store Owner all while raising her children. In her later years she worked for New York City’s Division of AIDS Services (DAS) as a Social Worker Supervisor.
She was an independent, strong, resilient, mother who believed in education just as her father and was determined for her family to follow the same path as she had walked. She also believed in family time fun for her children and grandchildren and they shared in the joy of her hobbies. Simona enjoyed many hobbies such as sewing, crocheting, fashion design and most of all her passion for roller skating.
She was a proud supporter for the Together WE club and a member of ACORN organization which focused on all topics and assistance to the low to moderate income family communities. She believed in these communities that they can be better than what they were portrayed to be.

Simona leaves behind to cherish her memory and celebrating her life her sister Karen R. Gadson of California and her children Jerry M. Faison III (Joyce) of Virginia Beach, VA, Celestine M. Faison of Sumter, SC and Aisha Smith of Marietta, GA. Her grandchildren from her son Jerry: Ariana S. Faison and Eli M. Faison, from her daughter Celestine: Andre X. Faison, Enoch B. Faison, Jezeshemai Faison, James E. Hylan, Darius F. Williams and from her daughter Aisha: Amir Z. Jean-Paul and Kenneth A. Huggins. Her great grandchildren from her grandson Andre: De-Andre Faison, Adondre Faison and Simona C. Faison and from her granddaughter Jezeshemai: Jerisa M. Gibson.